Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 4

Written Answers. - Helios II Programme 1993-96.

Liam Fitzgerald

Question:

363 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education the action programmes, if any, that have been put in place at both primary and secondary level to date within her Department in relation to the Helios II Programme 1993-96 which is a third community action programme to assist disabled people and which has as one of its primary objectives a programme of European collaboration on the integration of handicapped children into ordinary schools; the progress which will be achieved by mid-term review date in December 1994 and by the end of term review in December 1996; the way in which progress in Ireland compares with the achievements in other member States; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The Council of Ministers of the European Union decided on 25 February 1993 to establish a Community action programme to be known as Helios II. The programme covers the period 1-1-93 to 31-12-96, i.e. four years. The programme is concerned with promoting equal opportunities for, and the integration of, disabled people.

Educational integration is one of the five main objectives of the Helios II Programme. The Commission collaborates on implementation of this aspect of the programme with the Integrated Education Group. The Department of Education has two representatives on this group. The Helios II Programme is concerned with all levels of education, from pre-school, through primary, post-primary to higher and adult education.

For each year under the programme there is a list of priority themes. Some of these themes have been set up for two, three or even four years in a row. Ireland was invited to designate six participants/ partners in the exchange and information activities which form one of the objectives of the programme. These partners have met with their fellow European participants and have helped to select the 16 working themes for 1994. Each of the Irish partners — covering the different levels of education—has selected a particular theme under which they will engage in exchange and information activities during this year. The six Irish partners and the themes they have selected are as follows:

Theme 3—Multidisciplinary nature of integration: co-operation of all the services involved.

St. Fergal's Junior national school, Bray.

Theme 5—Role of the teacher and the role of support teachers Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Bandon

Good Shepherd national school, Churchtown, Dublin

St. Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin.

Theme 6—Role of peripatetic teacher in the mainstream education of deaf and hearing impaired children.

Community School, Bishopstown, Cork.

Theme 9—Special Education: co-operation and transition to an open environment

Pobalscoil Rosmini, Drumcondra.

Under each theme the participants involved organise their own exchange and information activities. Up to three visits may be arranged for 1994. These visits have already begun. Further themes and similar activities will be arranged for the years 1995 and 1996. At the end of each year the participants will prepare seminars to wind up the action programme. At these seminars conclusions will be formulated arising out of the exchange activities of that year concerning good practices identified across the countries which need to be encouraged and shared. The work for the following year will also be prepared. The seminar each year will take place at European and at national level. The Irish participants will come together at the end of this year to pool their information from their experience on the exchange visits. As a result of these seminars and the exchanges it will be possible to compare progress in Ireland with that in other member states.