John Bruton
Ceist:174 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her policy on the integration of children with physical disability into the ordinary school system.
Written Answers. - Children with Physical Disability.
My Department's policy favours the integration of physically handicapped children in so far as is possible into the ordinary school system.
John Bruton
Ceist:175 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education her views on the need for a joint approach between her Department and the Department of Health for the assessment, placement and education of those with physical disability in the ordinary school system.
In the context of the policy orientation in favour of the integration, in so far as possible, of all categories of handicapped pupils into the mainstream educational system, my Department will continue to have extensive co-operation with the Department of Health, through the health boards, on matters relating to the assessment, placement and education of physically handicapped children.
John Bruton
Ceist:176 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the number of seminars and courses which her Department have organised in the last three years (a) to increase the awareness among teachers of the learning needs of the physically disabled and (b) to demonstrate the contribution which all teachers can make to meeting these needs.
John Bruton
Ceist:177 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to organise seminars and inservice training courses for teachers who have physically disabled pupils in their classes.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
My Department have supported the National Association for Cerebral Palsy which has organised a number of seminars to increase the awareness of the learning needs of the physically disabled and to demonstrate the contribution which all teachers can make in meeting these needs. Six such seminars were held at various venues throughout the country over the last three years. In addition, the Department in conjunction with the Central Remedial Clinic, Clontarf, ran a course on microcomputers for teachers of children with disabilities in 1989.
Arrangements regarding the courses and seminars to be held in 1990 have not yet been finalised.
John Bruton
Ceist:178 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the number of children who are currently using the home tuition scheme; and if she has any plans to extend the criteria for access to this scheme to include not only those physically disabled who have missed school through hospitalisation but also to those physically disabled who, on the recommendation of their class teachers, may benefit from such assistance.
There are about 90 pupils at present in receipt of home tuition grants.
The inability to attend regularly at school and not hospitalisation is the basis on which an application for home tuition may be made to my Department. Approval of home tuition grants are decided upon by my Department in the light of the application details of each case and the inspector's recommendation.
John Bruton
Ceist:179 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education, in respect of (a) 1987 (b) 1988 and (c) 1989 the number of children with physical disability at present integrated within the ordinary school system at (i) primary and (ii) post-primary level.
I am not in a position to furnish the Deputy with the information requested, as schools are not required to supply such information to my Department.
I would not consider it appropriate that schools should keep a separate register of children with physical disability, as I would like to see the fullest possible level of integration within the ordinary school system.