Vol. 403 No. 4
36 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will approve a new replacement school for the existing Terrapin building at St. Anthony's special school for the handicapped, Castlebar, County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the difficulties associated with the existing Terrapin building at St. Anthony's special school in Castlebar.
In order to address the immediate accommodation problem, I am prepared to give careful consideration to the funding of any reasonable proposals which the patrons of the school may wish to make for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation.
However, the wider question of permanent school accommodation for children who are mildly handicapped including those attending St. Anthony's, must be viewed in the light of the general policy orientation towards the integration of such children into ordinary schools. I would see the best interests of the children attending St. Anthony's as being served through their integration into ordinary schools in the area. To the extent that the more seriously handicapped children attending St. Anthony's could not be integrated in this way, I would see their needs as being met through the services of St. Bríd's special school in Castlebar.
