Vol. 396 No. 6
56 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if she will provide as a matter of urgency (a) a speech therapist, (b) a physical education teacher, (c) a social worker and (d) a caretaker for the schools and centres for mentally handicapped children in Cashel, County Tipperary, (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
(a) and (c) The provision of a speech therapist and of a social worker is a matter for the local health board.
(b) Each of the two schools receives the maximum grant aid which is available from this Department for the provision of physical education. Full-time teachers of physical education are not employed in any category of national school.
(d) My Department's scheme for the employment of caretakers in schools is being phased out and so no new appointments may be permitted. It is not open to me, therefore, to fund a caretaker for these schools.
The day care centre is the responsibility of the local health board.
