Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

130 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of his findings on the provision of special needs education following his visit to the United States in March 2000; if his Department will be able to use the data and experience of the US Department of Education in relation to special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11822/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

One of my key objectives in visiting the United States was to learn about the approaches adopted within the US education system to cater for children with special educational needs, both in integrated settings and in special dedicated facilities. During my visit, I had an opportunity to visit a number of schools catering for children with special needs and to see the US system at work. As is the case when I visit our own education facilities, I was struck by the particular level of dedication and commitment shown by staff catering for the special needs children.

A particularly striking feature of the US system is the sheer volume of research which is being conducted across a range of special needs areas and the level of debate which continues to arise around issues such as the appropriate educational response for children with autism; attention deficit disorder and specific learning disabilities including dyslexia. Indeed, I was interested to note that the issues and difficulties with which the Irish education system is currently confronted in special needs areas have also arisen in the US system.

My visit to the US was part of a series of ongoing contacts which have developed at ministerial and official level between the Irish and US Departments of Education in recent years. Arising from my visit, arrangements are being finalised for the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the US authorities in June of this year. This memorandum will focus in particular on issues relating to special education services and will allow Ireland the facility of accessing the substantial body of research into special education areas which has already been conducted in the US. It will also allow us to participate with the US authorities in further research projects in special needs areas. Also, as a result of my recent visit, arrangements will be made to facilitate teacher exchanges between Ireland and the US with a particular focus on teachers involved in the delivery of special education services.