Vol. 443 No. 4
214 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education the outcome of the special projects which have been run in some schools to provide special assistants for physically handicapped children; and whether she proposes to extend this kind of service to more schools.
I take it the Deputy is referring to a special job-creation scheme introduced in 1979, under which my Department funded the allocation of child care assistants to selected special schools. A range of schools, including those catering for pupils with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, were allocated posts.
The embargo on public sector recruitment in place since 1987 has meant that no further appointments could be made or vacancies filled. However, as I indicated in my budget announcement, it is my intention to allocate an additional 50 child care assistants to the special education area in the current year.
These new appointments, which will be in place from September next, form part of an initial response to the recommendations of the special education review committee and will be of significant benefit in assisting teachers in dealing with special needs children.
My Department is currently assessing levels of need for child care support in the special education area in order to ensure that the additional posts now available are used to best effect.
