Vol. 445 No. 8
164 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education, in view of the findings of the Special Education Review Body report which would suggest that there is an increase in the number of children in mainstream schools with severe emotional disturbance, the additional provision, if any, she intends to make for the schools concerned. [1306/94]
The report of the Special Education Review Committee indicated that the prevalence of a very significant degree of emotional and/or behavioural disorder among pupils of primary age was of the order of 0.6 per cent of the total school population. The report did not suggest an increase in the number of children in mainstream schools with this disability.
In general, placement of pupils with special educational needs is based on comprehensive up-to-date psychological assessments. In the case of severely emotionally disturbed children, a psychiatric assessment is also necessary. Appropriate educational placement would be based on the outcome of these assessments. In the case of those with severe emotional and/or behavioural disorder this would typically involve placement in a special school setting.
The Special Education Review Committee report recommends the establishment of designated ordinary schools at local level to which additional resources could be allocated to support children with special educational needs. My Department is at present drawing up proposals to implement the recommendations of the report on a phased basis and the establishment of designated schools is being considered in that context.
