Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 6

Written Answers - Special Education Needs.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

151 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the integration of children with special needs into the school system; the issues which have been taken into consideration in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16774/97]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

153 Mr. Callelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with special needs who are integrated into mainstream education; if all the necessary supports are in place; the issues which are outstanding; the impact the outstanding issues have on the school system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16786/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 153 together.

I am firmly committed to maximising the opportunities for special needs children to participate in the education system on a fully integrated basis. The Government's Action Programme for the Millennium gives particular priority to this area through its commitment to equal opportunity and the priority it attaches to the provision of remedial teachers and resources for children with special learning difficulties.

Where special needs children are concerned, it is necessary to view each case on an individual basis. For some children, the nature of the special need may be such that the child can function quite successfully in an integrated setting with the support, where necessary, of a remedial teacher, a resource teacher or a visiting teacher.

It is estimated that there are approximately 8,000 children with special needs attending primary schools on a fully integrated basis.

At present, a total of 1,242 remedial teachers, 77 resource teachers and 42 visiting teachers are deployed to assist these children. This includes a total of 51 remedial teachers, 31 resource teachers and two visiting teachers newly appointed for the current school year.

However, there will continue to be cases where the nature or severity of the special need is such as to require placement in a special school or special class attached to an ordinary school. A wide range of such facilities is provided and each receives a special level of staffing and funding which reflects the severity of the needs being catered for. It is my intention to continue to support these facilities.

I am conscious of the fact that there is room for further improvement in this area. I assure the Deputy that it is my intention to continue to attach priority to the further development of support services for children with special needs who are integrated into mainstream schools.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

152 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will list the schools in Dublin 3, 5 and 9 which are awaiting finance approval for certain special needs in order to meet demands; if he will give details of such needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16775/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

If the Deputy will clarify the special needs and demands he has in mind, I will arrange to provide him with the relevant information.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

154 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the waiting list for the special school in St. Patrick's, Drumcondra, Dublin 9; the reason there is such a waiting list; the likely impact or setback the children on the waiting list may experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16777/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to St. Patrick's national school, Drumcondra, which is a mainstream national school to which there are three special classes attached. Two of the classes cater for children with speech and language disorders and the other class caters for children with mild mental handicap.

I understand that the school considered 14 applications for admission to the special classes for speech and language disorders and that four additional children were admitted at the commencement of the current school year.

My Department is currently in discussion with the Eastern Health Board with a view to securing speech therapy services for a further class for children with speech and language disorders which it is proposed to establish on the north side of Dublin as soon as possible.