Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 6

Written Answers. - Educational Needs of Severely Handicapped.

Dick Spring

Question:

260 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education if he will publish a list of facilities used specifically for the education of severely handicapped children and provide the student/teacher ratio for each facility.

Dick Spring

Question:

264 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education if he will outline existing policies pertaining to the education of severely handicapped children and adults.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 264 together.

The educational needs of severely handicapped children are catered for either in special classes attached to schools for moderate mental handicap or in special care units serviced by a specially allocated teacher.

At present there are seven such special classes and nine care units involved. The pupil/teacher ratio in such cases is 12:1.

These classes were established as a result of recommendations of the working party on the education and training of severely and profoundly handicapped which were made in 1983. My Department is at present carrying out a review of the current provision for children with severe/profound mental handicap.

Following is a list of the facilities in question.

List of Facilities with Severe/Profound Classes

County	Roll No.	School
Dublin	19032	Stewart's Hospital School, Palmerstown.
Dublin	19039	St. Vincent's Special School Navan Road.
Dublin	18671	St. Michael's Special School, Grosvenor Road.
Cavan	19439	Holy Family Special School, Cootehill.
Cork	19203	St. Paul's Special School.*
Cork	18208	Our Lady of Good Counsel, Lota, Glanmire.
Kerry	19547	St. Mary of the Angels, Beaufort, Killarney.
Kilkenny	19383	St. Patrick's Special School, Kilkenny.
Galway	19047	St. Joseph's Special School, Snipe Avenue.
Limerick	19200	St. Vincent's Special School, Lisnagry.
Meath	19560	St. Mary's Special School, Athlumney, Navan.
Mayo	19773	St. Nicholas Special School, Ballina.
Sligo	19206	St. Cecilia's Special School, Cregg House.
Tipperary	19370	St. Anne's Special School, Roscrea.
Waterford	19108	St. Martin's Special School, Waterford.
Wicklow	19522	St. Catherine's Special School, Newcastle.

*The possibility of providing an additional special class teacher to this school is currently under active consideration in consultation with the Department of Health to ensure the availability of the necessary back-up support.