The Deputy will be aware that the Government has over the past year put in place a range of policies which are already radically improving the special education services. Arising from my announcement of new additional teaching and childcare supports, appointments are being made on an ongoing basis and are benefiting children and schools in all parts of the country.
My Department is currently finalising three circulars and an accompanying information note to advise schools on recent developments in support services for children with special needs and how schools may avail of these new developments. The circulars and information note are expected to issue to schools in the near future. They will provide guidance to schools on the procedures to be adopted in applying for full-time or part-time teaching support for children with disabilities, in applying for full-time or part-time childcare support for children with disabilities, in applying for the establishment of a special class for pupils with disabilities, and in seeking the appointment of a resource teacher for children of the travelling community.
My Department is also finalising information booklets on the ordinary school transport service and the special school transport service which caters for children with disabilities attending special schools and special classes attached to mainstream schools. Arrangements are already in place whereby school authorities may apply to my Department for funding for specialised equipment for pupils with special educational needs.
I recently announced my decision to extend the remedial teacher service to every first and second level school which is currently without the service. This extension of the service will take place from September next. In March 1998 my Department notified all primary schools of the approach to be adopted in identifying pupils requiring a remedial teacher service.
Speech therapy services are generally provided through the relevant health authority. However, schools seeking such a service may make an application through my Department which will liaise with the relevant health authority regarding the provision of the necessary service.
I recently announced the establishment of a national educational psychological service. As part of this development, I have arranged for the appointment of an additional 25 psychologists to the service in the current year. It is intended that the service will eventually become an independent statutory agency with approximately 200 psychologists. Information on the availability of this service is being provided to schools as the service develops.