Written Answers. - Education of Children with Disabilities.
Tony Gregory
Question:
208
Mr. Gregory
asked the
Minister for Education
the number of children with disabilities attending mainstream national schools in Ireland; the number of resource teachers, visiting teachers and others employed to service these children; the amount of public money spent in supporting the integration of children with disabilities in mainstream primary schools; the reason that a child with special needs in an ordinary primary school receives a smaller grant than the same child in a special school; if the designated schools mentioned on page 25 under the paragraph on Action in the White Paper on Education is in breach of EU and UN resolutions which all support inclusive education, the UN's 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 23 supports the inclusion of disabled children in mainstream educational and social environments; and if the parents' right to opt for integrated education will be respected in the new Education Act.
[16071/95]
Michael Woods
Question:
240
Dr. Woods
asked the
Minister for Education
the plans, if any, she has to allow children with physical disabilities to participate fully in mainstream schools; and if she will provide adequate facilities and support to ensure that they have an equal opportunity of a full education.
[16435/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 240 together.
The precise number of children with disabilities attending mainstream national schools is not available. A survey conducted in 1992, on behalf of the Special Education Review Committee, estimated that approximately 8,000 pupils with specific disabilities are enrolled in ordinary classes.
The following table shows the number of additional teachers specifically employed to serve the needs of these children.
|
Service
|
Number of Teachers Employed
|
|
Resource Teachers
|
36
|
|
Visiting Teachers
|
37
|
|
Remedial Teachers
|
1,188
|
Apart from the general costs of operating the primary school system and the salary costs of the special teacher allocation referred to above, my Department also grant-aids the provision of specialised equipment for special needs pupils who are integrated into ordinary primary schools. In 1995, a sum of £150,000 has been allocated for this purpose.
Capitation funding is intended to contribute towards a school's operating costs such as heating, lighting and general maintenance. The funding is allocated on a per pupil basis. The level of such costs in the case of a special school are generally similar to those in an ordinary school. However, as special school classes have lower pupil numbers, it is necessary that the rate of capitation per pupil be correspondingly higher to meet the costs in question. Where special equipment needs arise, they are met out of the separate special fund referred to above.
I do not accept that the approach to designated schools set out in the White Paper is in breach of EU and UN Resolutions.
The White Paper recognises that all students, regardless of their personal circumstances, have a right of access to and participation in the education system, according to their potential and ability. It is the policy of my Department to seek to facilitate the maximum possible level of integration of special needs children, including children with physical disabilities, into mainstream schools. However, it has to be recognised that the severity of the disability in some cases may be such as to warrant placement in a dedicated or special facility.
The objective is to ensure a continuum of provision ranging from occasional help within the ordinary school system, to full-time education in a special school or unit, with students being able to move as necessary between different types of provision.
I can assure the Deputy that the right of parents to opt for integrated education for their children will be fully respected.
