asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to provide training for primary school teachers in relation to the needs of disabled children who are attending ordinary primary schools; if she has given consideration to the approval of social employment schemes to assist with extra requirements for the special needs of children with cerebral palsy in primary schools; the attempts which she is making in conjunction with the health boards to arrange for a physiotherapist to visit such children; and the initiatives, if any, which she will consider in this regard.
Written Answers. - Teacher Training.
198.
The primary teacher training course qualifies national teachers to teach children with special needs in ordinary national schools. A full-time training course leading to a Diploma in Special Education is also run by St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra, for, inter alia, teachers teaching special classes in ordinary national schools. Furthermore my Department's primary inspectorate operate short in-service training courses for teachers who have children with special needs in their schools. These courses have included a series of one day seminars over the last two years in cooperation with the National Association for Cerebral Palsy and the regional health boards for teachers in primary schools who have a physically disabled child in their classes.
The question of approval of projects under the social employment scheme is a matter for FÁS. Applications for assistance under the scheme must be made by individual schools. I would, of course, favour schools seeking to make maximum use of the scheme.
My Department engage in ongoing discussions with the directorates of community care of the regional health boards to make arrangements for a wide range of paramedical services which they provide to schools as the needs arise.