218 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the inservice training, if any, provided for teachers to educate pupils with special needs. [5452/00]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
220 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the teacher training facilities, if any, available for special needs education. [5454/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 220 together.
A substantial range of inservice courses is provided for teachers involved in remedial and special education who educate pupils with special needs.
Since 1994, there has been a national programme of training in the remedial area for serving teachers at primary and post-primary levels. Under this programme teachers attend postgraduate diploma courses in the following institutions: St. Patrick's College of Education, Dublin, DCU, Church of Ireland College of Education, Dublin, National University of Ireland, Cork, National University of Ireland, Galway, Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick, UL, and St. Angela's College of Education, Sligo, outreach from Mary Immaculate College. The number of graduates from these courses over the two years 1998 and 1999 was 148 and 158, respectively. For the year 1999-2000, 172 applicants were given places on the courses.
219 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the research programmes on special needs his Department is funding. [5453/00]
In the current year, my Department is funding the following research programmes on special needs. An evaluation of educational provision for persons over 18 years of age with a severe or profound general learning disability; an evaluation of use of applied behaviour analysis principals in the education of children with autism; and a study into the assessment and diagnosis of third level students with dyslexia and the best practice to be adopted in meeting the needs of these students.
221 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the facilities, if any, available for the assessment of the educational needs of pre-school disabled children. [5455/00]
Assessments of the educational needs of pre-school children with disabilities are carried out by specialist visiting teachers, who consult, as necessary, with psychologists working for the health boards or for specialist agencies.