Labour Dublin North East Deputy Tommy Broughan T.D. has slammed Education Minister Batt O’Keefe after he admitted abolishing six special needs classes in schools across Dublin North East.

Deputy Broughan had asked Minister O’Keefe to report on his proposed programme of cutbacks to special education classes in Dublin 5 and 13. Minister O’Keefe informed Deputy Broughan that although he has decided to "suppress a number of special classes for pupils with Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD) in some primary schools…there will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher."

However, the Minister went on to tell Deputy Broughan that "In the case of classes for MGLD the normal teacher ratio that applies in 11:1. My Department however permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of 9 pupils in the class. This minimum was not fulfilled in six schools in the area and therefore the schools no longer qualify to retain the six classes concerned."

Deputy Broughan said "It is appalling that in effect six critical special education classes in Dublin North East have been summarily cut by Minister O’Keefe and his Fianna Fail/Green colleagues. The decision to abolish six special education classes in Dublin North East alone is having a devastating effect on a huge number of young pupils and their families. It is completely unacceptable that the education of some of our most vulnerable children is being targeted in this way. It is also an extremely short-sighted decision as the provision of special education classes to children with MGLD often allows the children to return and fully participate in mainstream educational classes." Deputy Broughan and his Oireachtas colleagues visited and saw the excellent work of a special needs class earlier this year in St. Helen’s National School, Portmarnock.

Deputy Broughan and the Labour Party will continue to campaign for the restoration of special education classes in Dublin North East in Dail Eireann.