Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 12

Written Answers. - Offaly Handicapped Children.

Tom Enright

Ceist:

81 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the serious problem regarding the education of moderately handicapped children in County Offaly; whether she has satisfied herself with the existing arrangements for the education of the moderately handicapped children at St. Joseph's national school, Arden, Tullamore, County Offaly; if she will outline the plans she has for improving the existing facilities at St. Joseph's; the number of teachers teaching moderately handicapped children; the number of classes and the age group of children being taught in these classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

My Department provide a network of special schools for moderately mentally handicapped children throughout the country. These schools are so situated that the majority of pupils can avail of them on a day basis.

Moderately mentally handicapped children in County Offaly attend (1) St. Hilda's Special School, Athlone; (2) St. Anne's Special School, Roscrea and (3) the special class in St. Joseph's national school, Arden, Tullamore. The total number of teachers involved is 11.

When the special class was established the understanding was that the children enrolled in it would be transferred to special schools for the last three or four years of their education in order to benefit from a more comprehensive curriculum but some parents appear reluctant to do this. The class which has an enrolment of 12 pupils at present ranging in age from seven to 18 has its own specially allocated teacher who is on the staff of the school.

My Department will be keeping the arrangements for this special class under review.