asked the Minister for Education what facilities exist for the provision of secondary education for blind children; whether he is satisfied that such provision is adequate and, if not, what steps are being taken to provide the necessary facilities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Secondary Education for Blind Children.
12.
In this country, secondary education is provided in schools under private management which the State assists by the payment of grants to them and by the payment of incremental salary to the teachers. There is at present no secondary school rcognised by my Department for the purpose of payment of grants specially devoted to the education of blind children and there is no application before the Department for the recognition of such a school.
Is the Minister satisfied that adequate provision is being made for secondary education for blind children?
There are two large national schools, one catering for boys and one for girls, and I understand the boys and girls attending those schools can remain there up to the age of 18. As far as the provision of secondary education is concerned, it would seem to me that education of a vocational or technical nature would be more in line with the type of education required.