Vol. 457 No. 8
76 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education the progress, if any, that has been made in relation to consideration of the needs of schools enrolling children with handicaps or severe learning difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16285/95]
Since my appointment as Minister for Education I have attached a high priority to improving the quality and level of support services available to children with special educational needs both in mainstream and special schools. I am satisfied that substantial progress has been achieved in this area. Measures which I have introduced include: the appointment of an additional 241 remedial teachers at primary level and a further 98 remedial teachers at second level; the appointment of an additional 29 resource teachers to support children with disabilities in ordinary primary schools and a further 56 resource teachers at second level; the appointment of an additional 150 child care assistants to special schools dealing with children with disabilities; a substantial increase in the rates of special capitation funding paid to special schools and schools with special classes; a one unit reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio for all special schools and classes dealing with pupils with disabilities; and the reduction in the number of teaching posts required before a special school can obtain an administrative principal post.
As Minister for Education, it is my intention to maintain this momentum. The measures set out in the White Paper on Education will further enhance the range and quality of services available to children with special needs and provide the necessary framework for future development in this area.
