Vol. 553 No. 6
87 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which he proposes to improve access to mainstream education for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14626/02]
I am anxious to ensure the maximum possible level of integration of children with special needs into the mainstream school system. The extent to which integration can be achieved is ultimately dictated by the needs and abilities of the child.
Students who have been assessed as having special educational needs have access to a range of special support services. These services range from special schools dedicated to particular disability groups, through special classes-units attached to ordinary schools, to placement on an integrated basis in ordinary schools with special back-up supports.
Children attending on an integrated basis are supported by the resource teacher service and the special needs assistant service. At present there are approximately 1,700 resource teachers and 3,300 special needs assistants in place in primary schools supporting children with special educational needs on an integrated basis. The level of support in this area has grown enormously in recent years.
Where more serious special needs are involved children may require placement in a special school or special dedicated class attached to an ordinary school. There are 108 special schools and approximately 500 special classes in the primary system. Each facility is dedicated to a particular disability group and operates at a specially reduced pupil-teacher ratio. Pupils attending such facilities also attract special rates of capitation funding and are entitled to avail of the special school transport service and the school bus escort service.
