Vol. 439 No. 2
158 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Education if extra money will be allocated for vocational training and education of the handicapped out of the increased spending indicated in the 1994 Budget; if so, the amount of money that will be spent for this purpose in the Cork region; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The education and training needs of handicapped children are responded to in a number of ways depending on the particular capacities of the children concerned and the degree of handicap involved. For many such children participation in courses at ordinary second-level schools is the most appropriate response.
In the case of more serious handicaps, special schools are provided to cater for children up to the age of 18 years. Such schools are dedicated to the needs of pupils with a particular category of handicap and are fully resourced to provide the special supports which are required in the particular situations involved.
In the context of the 1994 budget allocation, I have arranged for a number of initiatives to address the needs of handicapped children of post-primary age. I have allocated an additional sum of £2 million to provide for a dramatically increased level of capitation funding for handicapped children.
Additional teaching posts are also being allocated to the special education area. I have provided £50,000, for the first time, for the provision of equipment for children with special needs attending ordinary second-level schools throughout the country. I have arranged that a major pilot project will commence this year on the development of appropriate curricula for children with special needs of second-level school-going age.
These measures will allow for the provision of special teaching supports to schools dealing with handicapped children, including those up to 18 years of age. It is not possible to say how much of the additional provision will be allocated to schools in the Cork region.
