Finian McGrath
Ceist:378 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with disabilities attending mainstream primary school, special schools and mainstream secondary schools. [20133/02]
Vol. 556 No. 3
378 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with disabilities attending mainstream primary school, special schools and mainstream secondary schools. [20133/02]
There are currently an estimated 18,000 children with special needs attending mainstream primary schools. These children are supported by in excess of 2,200 full-time equivalent resource teachers. An estimated 6,000 special needs pupils are enrolled in 108 special schools with a further 4,500 approximately being catered for in 600 special classes attached to mainstream schools nationwide. The relevant data appropriate to mainstream secondary schools is not readily available in my Department.