Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Education Needs.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

125 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the action, if any, he intends to take in relation to the matters raised in a document (details attached) which was submitted to him by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3690/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The document in question is currently being considered by my Department. The main focus of the document relates to the level of support available for children with special needs who attend mainstream schools. It is estimated that there are approximately 8,000 children with special need attending primary schools on a fully integrated basis. At present, a total of 1,242 remedial teacher, 78 resource teachers and 42 visiting teachers are deployed to assist these children. This includes a total of 54 remedial teachers, 32 resource teachers and two visiting teachers newly appointed for the current school year.

The Government's An 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. It is my intention to honour this commitment and to maximise the opportunities for special needs children to participate in the education system on a fully integrated basis. I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area to ensure that all available resources are deployed to maximum effect. The position of special needs children who attend ordinary schools on an integrated basis will be a key element of this review.