asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the difficulty of finding accommodation in Dublin for persons who can be considered suitable to absorb education but are slightly mentally deficient; and, if so, if he will have inquiries made in order that a solution may be found to the difficulty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Facilities for Education.
Mr. Byrne
I am not aware that any special difficulty exists in securing accommodation in the ordinary primary schools for children of the type referred to by the Deputy, that is, educable children who are slightly mentally deficient or mentally retarded. For some years, special attention has been given to the question of the most suitable arrangement for the education of these children within the framework of the existing scheme of primary education. In all, or practically all, the larger schools where two or more classes of a particular standard can be formed, arrangements are made as far as possible for the suitable grading of the pupils in the respective classes.
Apart, however, from these arrangements, I am having the whole problem of the provision of improved educational facilities for mentally retarded children examined by my Department.