Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join my constituency colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly, in his forward pass in respect of the Cavan Rugby Club choir, to use the words of the Cathaoirleach. I welcome them to the Oireachtas. It is an historic day for them. I have no doubt that they will enjoy the occasion and that members will enjoy their singing this evening.

It is with great disappointment that I learned of the Government decision to remove the over-age exemption for children with disabilities in the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme. It is very regrettable that the exemption is to be removed from the scheme from September 2018. The issue is of major concern to parents because they believe it will severely handicap children who are about to attend primary school and who need a little extra help to make the transition in as smooth a fashion as possible. It will greatly worry parents and have a knock-on effect on the smooth running of primary schools because more pressure will be applied to teachers and special needs assistants, SNAs. It is a very regrettable backward step. However, if a positive can come out of such a negative decision, it is that we have time to sort this out. I ask the Deputy Leader to bring the issue to the attention of the Minster for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, and ask her to reconsider this very regrettable decision. The Constitution states that we should cherish all our children equally but this measure flies in the face of that declaration. I ask the Deputy Leader to bring the matter to the Minister in order that the decision can be reversed and the trauma and stress it is causing to families can be dispersed.