Special education centres
Deputy Murphy argued the proposed centres amount to segregated provision dressed up in new language and could become permanent. The Tánaiste restated the mainstreaming policy and said a stakeholder meeting was under way.
I want to ask the Tánaiste about the proposal for so-called special education centres. He said earlier that there is a problem with the language around them.
Will the Government take the passport express approach of just changing what it is called but keeping the substance? The problem is not just the language but the substance. Parents are rightly fearful this so-called interim measure will become permanent like so many other things in this State, such as, for example, direct provision. They fear this is segregated education, without the opportunities for integration with other students, and are rightly concerned the Government is avoiding doing what it needs to do, which is to use section 37A of the Act to direct schools to open special classes and put resources in place to ensure students' constitutional right to appropriate education is met.
Comment on this
I have answered a number of questions on this important matter this morning. I assure the Deputy the Government's policy is one of mainstreaming and integration. A meeting is under way at present about that with stakeholders and partners. It is to be hoped that will have a positive outcome.