asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the position regarding sanction and official recognition of Little Angels School, Letterkenny, County Donegal and if he will make a statement on the matter with special reference to the future needs that the school may serve.
Written Answers.
34.
The Little Angels Association, Letterkenny, have applied for sanction for the establishment of a day school for moderately mentally handicapped children. They have been informed that, to warrant a day school, at least 20 suitable children of school-going age—enough for two teachers—would be needed and these children should live within daily transport distance of Letterkenny, about 15 miles.
Suitable children would be those assessed as moderately mentally handicapped under the definition laid down by the Commission on Mental Handicap. Only ten such children among those whose parents have given their consent to their enrolment in a day school in Letterkenny have been identified as fulfilling all the necessary criteria. The establishment of a day school would, therefore, not be warranted at present but I am keeping the position under review.