Vol. 569 No. 4
193 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Department of Health and Children has discussed with his Department funding for the education component of care for children at Camphill, Ballytobin, County Kilkenny; if he is considering an application for funding directly from Ballytobin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18031/03]
My Department is not aware of any contact by the Minister for Health and Children or his Department in the matter referred to by the Deputy.
A meeting was held recently between my officials and representatives of Ballytobin-Camphill community to discuss the recognition process for schools. The representatives were advised that recognition as a mainstream school could not be granted since the requirements for curriculum provision and patronage were not being met.
Given the emphasis of the school, the representatives acknowledged that it might be more appropriate to apply for recognition as a special school and indicated that they would consider submitting a proposal in this regard to the special education section of my Department. No such proposal or application for funding has been received to date.
