Vol. 502 No. 3
621 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has assessed the achievements of the bridge project in Newbridge, County Kildare; the plans, if any, he has to provide funding to continue this project; and the further plans, if any, he has to mainstream the approaches adopted in the project in the provision for children with special needs. [7970/99]
I am aware of the valuable work conducted by the bridge project in supporting young people with special needs in their transition from the special education system to after-school life and adult living.
My capacity to fund particular projects in the special needs area is entirely dependent on resource availability and the level of competing demand across the special needs sector. My Department is currently considering a request for funding to support a continuation of the type of services provided under the bridge project.
I expect that a decision on this application for funding will be taken in the near future.
