Jimmy Deenihan
Question:206 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide additional resources to primary schools to support the policy of the integration of children with a handicap into mainstream primary education.
Written Answers. - Education of Handicapped Children.
Every effort is made to encourage and facilitate the integration of handicapped children into mainstream primary education.
In the current year significant additional resources are being allocated to this area as part of arrangements agreed under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. Under these measures, an additional six visiting teachers are being added to the visiting teacher service as part of an expansion of the focus of that service. In addition, six special resource teachers are being appointed to assist schools which already have handicapped children in an integrated setting. A total of 80 new remedial teacher posts have also been created this year in a significant strengthening of the service to pupils with particular learning difficulties.
I am satisfied that the input of these additional resources will be of significant benefit in encouraging the integration process.
In addition to the above measures, I have established a special committee, chaired by Mr. Declan Brennan, former Secretary of my Department, to examine and report on the educational provision for children with special needs. The question of integration will form a major element of this committee's deliberations.