The Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe has confirmed to Mayo Fine Gael Deputy John O’Mahony that St Anthony’s Special School in Castlebar will lose three special needs assistants from Easter.
Dep O’Mahony said he “forced” the minister to make the admission under questioning in the Dáil yesterday (Thursday ).
Dep O’Mahony said it was: “The most savage cut to the most vulnerable in society.”
“Alongside this, Batt O’Keeffe made the startling statement that, as Minister for Education, he has no responsibility on the matter and he attempted to hive off all responsibility to the National Council for Special Education. This ridiculous attempt to avoid responsibility just won’t fly. He cannot hide behind faceless boards that are not accountable to the people and this decision is his and that of his Fianna Fáil and Green colleagues.
“I invite the Minister to visit this school and other schools like this to hear the pleas and cries and the passion of the parents, teachers and, most of all, the children this decision affects.”
