Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all want to see more places for children with special needs. That is the overall intent. The boards of management and patrons of schools are probably reflecting on and discussing this new legislation that is coming on board. Boards of management have an obligation generally to ensure there are classes for children. That is what they do and it is the purpose of schools. They provide classes in which children can learn. We are seeking to ensure that children with special needs are not put into separate special needs schools that are only for certain children with certain abilities. It is about ensuring that our society would, for the most part, seek to have children of all abilities learning together. I recognise that children with severe and profound needs may have to be dealt with in other ways, but the objective is that most children in this country should be able to attend schools and all boards of management should have a responsibility to provide education. That is at the core of what a board of management should be doing. I acknowledge that Senator Mullen is coming at it with the intent of ensuring that we have more places. For me, it is about places for all children.