Vol. 397 No. 3
173 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Health if moneys are available to fund pre-vocational training for mildly mentally handicapped children aged 15 years and over; the way in which applications should be made to avail of these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In general the position is that pre-vocational training for school-going children with a mild degree of mental handicap is available in some special schools funded by the Department of Education as an integral part of the curriculum.
Pre-vocational training provided by health agencies is usually directed towards more dependent people and is not normally required for mildly mentally handicapped adults. However, the adult mildly mentally handicapped can be catered for in special circumstances. Applications for assistance from agencies involved in training programmes are processed by the National Rehabilitation Board.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind I would be pleased to have it considered.
