Vol. 433 No. 1
263 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education the reason her Department's approval for the continued enrolment of a person (details supplied), who has Downes Syndrome, beyond her 18 birthday, does not allow her inclusion for grant purposes; and if she will review this matter in the interests of the child's future development.
Under the Rules for National Schools pupils may not be retained on the school rolls after their eighteenth birthday. However, requests to allow pupils of 18 years to remain on in a special school for an additional year are given sympathetic consideration by my Department.
In certain circumstances, children, such as the child in question can be allowed remain on in the special school for an additional year but may not be included on the school rolls in accordance with the Rules for National Schools. Accordingly, they cannot be considered for purposes of payment of grants to the school or for determining enrolments for the appointment or retention of a teacher.
