Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 5

Written Answers. - EC Helios Programme.

Jim Higgins

Question:

95 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the grants, if any, that have been made available to her Department from the EC funded Helios Programme for the promotion of integrated education programmes for the mentally handicapped.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

No grants have been made available to my Department by the EC in connection with the Helios Programme.

This 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 trans-national exchanges of views and experiences arising from national initiatives taken in this area.

As part of Helios 2, the Department is at present engaged in the selection of centres to highlight the integration of pupils with disabilities in mainstream classes in schools/colleges at the various levels of the education system.