Fine Gael Local Election candidate for the Ballaghaderreen Castlerea area, Michéal Frain, has criticised the government’s decision to reduce the number of special needs teachers in our national schools.

The Department of Education is set to cut special teacher support for children with mild general learning disabilities in 119 national schools across the country. The move, which is due to be introduced in the 2009/2010 school year will see children with learning difficulties integrated into mainstream classes. Frain has described the decision as “totally unacceptable and an attack on the most vulnerable in our society.” “It is estimated that the move will form part of a Û7 million cut in funding to special needs children. It is ironic that the decision was made on the same day that the government bailed out the banks for Û8 billion.” Frain stated.

“These latest cuts in education were made purely on a short term financial basis with no thought given to the long-term cost to society. The children who will be affected by these cuts were not the ones responsible for the financial fiasco we find ourselves in but will be one of the first to take a hit. I believe,” he continued “that it is unforgivable and will cause total upheaval in mainstream education and will further burden an already overstretched system.” “The government should now implement a more strategic long term balanced approach to our education system and invest in our most cherishes and valued resources, which is, of course, our children. They are the future and will be the generation that will pull this economy back to sustainable prosperity.”

“The government should now accelerate the school building programme by fast tracking planning applications for new schools and by standardising high quality, energy efficient designs.” Frain concluded.