The Mater Hospital Special School, Dublin 7, is a school for emotionally disturbed children. Temple Street Hospital Special School, Dublin 1, is a school for physically disabled children. My Department does not have figures for the number of children who are awaiting placement for these schools.
St. Patrick's National School, Drumcondra, is a mainstream national school with three special classes attached. Two of the classes are for children with specific speech and language disorder and one is for children with mild learning difficulty. There is no waiting list in operation for these classes.
Health related support services, such as speech and language therapy services, are provided by the Eastern Health Board for children with special needs such as those attending the facilities mentioned by the Deputy.
The board is continuing to develop these services and additional resources have recently been made available to the board to enhance the support services to children with autism.
My Department will continue to work with the board to further develop the services required to meet the needs of the children in question.
My Department officials are in ongoing contact with parents and the relevant professional personnel and statutory bodies concerning provision of educational services for children with special needs.
