Vol. 466 No. 4
190 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to sanction, on a trial basis or otherwise the recommendation of the Special Education Review Committee of a weighting ratio for staffing and pupil numbers in mainstream schools that have enrolled children with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11643/96]
The weighting mechanism to which the Deputy refers is just one of a range of complementary measures recommended by the Special Education Review Committee to address the variety of needs presented by children with disabilities attending mainstream schools.
The measures set out in the White Paper in relation to special needs children are intended to refine and develop the current range of responses to take on board the recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee. A key objective is to ensure that all children with special needs, including those who are integrated into mainstream schools, will have access to the necessary range of supports in their own areas. It is my intention that these measures will be implemented as speedily as resources permit.
