Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 4

Written Answers. - Child Care Assistants.

Willie O'Dea

Question:

155 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that extra child care assistants are provided for the Daughters of Charity, Lisnagry, County Limerick, in view of the fact that the five extra teachers who have been sanctioned are unable to take up their posts without these child care assistants; her views on whether that by sanctioning the extra five teachers her Department recognised the needs of these mentally handicapped children who are not adequately catered for at present. [3137/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

St. Vincent's School, Lisnagry, Limerick is a special school catering for children with moderate and severe-profound mental handicap.

The school currently has 24 pupils in the severe-profound category. These children are catered for in four special classes. Each class has the services of a teacher and a child care assistant.

My Department has been approached with a request that it make educational provision available for an additional 27 severely-profoundly handicapped children from the area. The provision in question would necessitate the establishment of an additional five classes to cater for these children.

My Department is fully committed to ensuring that an adequate education service is made available to these children. The matter of providing child care assistant support as part of this service is being actively considered at present.