The principal function of the special education section relate to the administration within my Department of the following: special national schools for mentally and physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, hearing impaired, visually impaired and for travellers; special classes in ordinary national schools for mentally handicapped, hearing impaired, language and hearing impaired and for travellers; schools for young offenders; grants for national schools in disadvantaged areas; pre-schools for travellers; transport facilities for all categories of handicapped pupils and for travellers; and visiting teacher service and home tuition scheme.
While the health boards provide an assessment service for children who are referred as needing special educational arrangements, a psychological service is not provided at present to special schools. However, as I have recently announced, the establishment of a primary schools' psychological service is being initiated on a pilot basis. It is intended that special national schools would be included in the coverage of any such service.