Vol. 428 No. 1
503 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement regarding the number of children countrywide who are on waiting lists for places in special schools, and the reason there are so many children, sometimes in excess of 40 in Waterford, who are in need of special placement and are on waiting lists for Lady Lane special school, County Waterford.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of children countrywide who are on waiting lists for places in special schools is not readily available.
I would be seriously concerned at any suggestion that children with a disability are being denied access to appropriate educational facilities in the Waterford area.
Any application received by my Department for the provision of places in special classes or special schools is immediately considered and where adequate numbers of children have been identified, as a general rule, a post is made available.
I am not aware of the 40 children in Waterford to whom the Deputy refers nor has my Department received any request to facilitate these children.
If the Deputy wishes to provide details of the cases in question, I will have the matter investigated.
