Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure all children with a physical and intellectual disability get a quality service in our national and second level schools. [38017/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department provides for a continuum of special education provision to be made available for children with special needs, so that regardless of the level of need of the child, educational provision can be made for them.

The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs should be included in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.

The level of investment, some €1.3 billion this year, shows that the overall level of funding for special education has been protected, and increased in some areas for this school year, despite the ongoing severe financial position.

I want to assure the Deputy of my commitment to continue to provide appropriate high quality resources to schools for the education of children with special educational needs.