Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:156 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the provision, if any, her Department intends making for children with moderate to severe disabilities whose parents insist on their remaining in mainstream schools. [1294/94]
Written Answers. - Integration of Children with Special Needs.
It is the policy of my Department to encourage the maximum possible level of integration of children with disabilities into ordinary schools. However, the pace of such development and the degree to which integration can be achieved will vary depending on the specific and evolving capacities of the individual children concerned.
The report of the special education review committee made a number of recommendations concerning the integration of children with special needs into ordinary schools and proposed a range of responses to meet the variety of needs involved. My Department is currently considering these matters with a view to developing a planned programme of response over the coming years.