It has been a rather depressing week for special education. Yesterday's absolutely last-minute announcement of special needs assistant, SNA, allocations has continued years of disrespect to those crucial education staff. I read with interest an article in The Irish Times two days ago where a Government source described the plan of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, in respect of proposed centres of education as dead in the water. I know that the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, has misgivings about that matter. Will the Government confirm that it is putting every effort into finding appropriate school placements in school communities? Can the Taoiseach confirm that the Government will no longer pursue this totally unsuitable plan which would have seen autistic children segregated and isolated?

I assure the Deputy that the Government is doing everything it possibly can with the National Council for Special Education to find additional places and additional capacity in schools. We are looking at simplifying and clarifying the legislation in order to oblige all schools in the country to be inclusive and to make sure that their doors are open for applications from children with special needs. In tandem with that, Government will provide the requisite resources of both teachers and physical accommodation to meet what should be a fundamental principle in education. All schools, including private schools, are funded to some degree by the State. There needs to be full inclusion for children with special educational needs.