Vol. 403 No. 9
84 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Education the reliance on, or recourse to, the EC established Helios Fund which has been made or sought by her in the provision of education integration schemes for the mentally handicapped children; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Helios programme was not developed as a direct funding mechanism for local initiatives in the provision of education integration schemes for mentally handicapped children. Rather, it provides a framework for transnational exchanges of views and experiences arising from national initiatives taken in this area.
As part of the programme, nine well established local experiences of integration throughout the country were selected as part of the Irish local model activity. Experience gained with these initiatives is shared through the programme with our Community partners and we in turn benefit from the experience of other member states. The Community funds and facilitates this exchange process under the programme.
