Vol. 461 No. 7
208 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the number of children with special needs on a county by county basis who are integrated into ordinary primary schools; and the additional supports these schools receive to cater for these children. [3697/96]
My Department does not keep a record of the number of children with special needs who are integrated into ordinary primary schools. However, a survey conducted in 1992 on behalf of the Special Education Review Committee indicated that there were approximately 8,000 pupils with specific disabilities in ordinary classes.
Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have attached a high priority to improving the quality and level of support services available to children with special education needs.
I am satisfied that substantial progress has been achieved in this area. Measures which I have introduced include:
the appointment of an additional 241 remedial teachers at primary level bringing the total now in place nationwide to 1,188.
the appointment of an additional 29 resource teachers in ordinary primary schools bringing the total number of resource teachers to 36.
Both remedial and resource teachers support pupils with special needs who have been integrated into ordinary primary schools. Children with specific disabilities such as hearing/visual impairment or Down's Syndrome also have access to the visiting teacher service.
