Vol. 418 No. 8
53 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the mentally handicapped children over 4 and a half years of age, in the care of the health boards or voluntary organisations or in the community, who are not availing of any education, due to the lack of appropriate educational facilities for the mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The present position is that provision of education for children with a mild or moderate degree of mental handicap is the responsibility of the Department of Education. Services for children with a severe or profound degree of mental handicap are primarily provided by mental handicap agencies. Information on the number of children not availing of any education is not readily available. It is being sought from the health boards and I will provide it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
