O’Rourke says Education Dept 'biased against ABA'

Fine Gael says Mary O'Rourke's comments in the Dáil last night show the depth of opposition among Fianna Fáil members to the Government's approach to educating children with autism.

Mrs O'Rourke made her remarks during a debate on a Fine Gael motion calling on the Government to provide specialist ABA education to all children who need it.

The motion was defeated by eight votes, but the former Education Minister used the opportunity to accuse the Department of Education of being biased against ABA.

Fine Gael TD Brian Hayes says Fianna Fáil is deeply divided on the issue and many government deputies oppose Minister for Education Mary Hanafin's current approach to the issue.