Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I echo Senator Conway's welcome of the announcement made at lunchtime today by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, concerning his reversal of a decision. Despite the same number of teachers and special needs assistants being available and despite the provision of €1.3 billion out of the education budget of €8 billion, there were perceived cuts which would have resulted in students having fewer hours of resource teaching. Consequently, I welcome the Minister's announcement and agree with Senator Conway that children must be our priority. They must be given the best facilities and opportunities it is absolutely possible to give. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, must be commended on going back to the Cabinet, on listening to the concerns my colleagues and I have raised with him during the week and on listening to the concerns of parents and those who would be affected by it. It takes a certain amount of courage to stand up and admit one should ascertain what can be done and I welcome that decision. It is a good day for special education and for the Government.