Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I endorse the importance of this amendment in terms of giving children educational opportunities in a mainstream setting. I remember a cousin of mine. He was the youngest of eight children. Uniquely in his family, he was sent away from his farm in Macroom to Cork city. He suffered all of his life with a sense of detachment from his family. That was in no way needed. He had a hearing impairment that did not need such an approach, but because of a lack of supports and imagination, there were long-term repercussions for him in his sense of family and self.

Moving to another Cork connection, Mr. Geary is to be commended on his focus on this issue. Like the Minister of State's policies, this will include people and ensure that they can participate fully and be educated without being sundered from their families in such a terrible way. I remember my cousin from my childhood clearly. There is no need for it. Amendment No. 13 is important in terms of the proper inclusion of a person who is deaf in his or her rightful education, so I support it wholeheartedly.