Paul McGrath
Ceist:200 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the extra resources, if any, that are available to enable children with Down's Syndrome to attend mainstream primary schools. [10276/96]
Written Answers. - Special Education Needs.
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, including those who are integrated in mainstream 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 bringing the total now in place nationwide to 1,188 and the appointment of an additional 29 resource teachers in ordinary primary schools bringing the total number of resource teachers to 26.
The remedial and resource teachers are a key support service for pupils with special needs who have been integrated into ordinary schools. In addition, children with specific disabilities such as hearing impairment, visual impairment and Down's Syndrome also have access to the visiting teacher service. There are 38 teachers employed in this service at present.
The measures set out in the White Paper in relation to special needs pupils are intended to refine and develop the current range of responses. A key objective will be to ensure that all children with special educational needs will have access to the necessary range of support services in their own areas. This includes the support of special needs children in mainstream schools.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:201 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the studies, if any, undertaken by her Department to asses the advantages to children with Down's Syndrome of attending mainstream primary or post-primary schools. [10277/96]
The Special Education Review Committee, established in 1991, carried out a comprehensive inquiry into educational provision for all children with special needs, including those with Down's Syndrome attending mainstream schools.
In its report, the review committee put forward a series of principles to serve as basic guidelines for the future development of education services for special needs children.
Among these principles was the view that a continuum of service should be provided for children with special eduational needs ranging from full-time education in ordinary classes, with additional supports as may be necessary, to full-time education in special schools. The committee also recommended that, except where individual circumstances make this impracticable, appropriate education for all children with special educational needs should be provided in ordinary schools.
The measures set out in the White Paper concerning the education of special needs children, including those with Down's Syndrome, reflect the recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee. The Review Committee received 186 submissions from organisations and individuals representing people with disabilities. Several of these submissions were from groups representing Down's Syndrome children.