asked the Minister for Education the measures, if any, being taken to ensure equal educational opportunity for the physically handicapped.

My policy is to encourage and facilitate as far as possible the attendance of physically handicapped students at their local schools when it is considered that such attendance will be beneficial to the student.

Where the nature of a child's disability prevents his benefiting from attendance at an ordinary school, educational facilities are provided in special primary schools and in certain second-level schools.

I am happy to add that the educational facilities available to physically handicapped students in this country compare favourably with the best.

I may assure the Deputy that advancement of the education of physically handicapped children is a matter which is kept under constant review in my Department.

With particular reference to certain second-level schools, can the Minister give us any more information about his policy about new second-level school premises, either completely new schools or extensions that have been built? Will he inform the House specifically whether he makes it a condition of sanction for any new building for which State money is being provided in this area, that the facilities should be equally available to children with physical handicap as well as to normally endowed children?

I am not aware that the payment of grants is conditional on those facilities being available. However, I will make an inquiry in that regard and I will let the Deputy know the up-to-date position on it. There would not be any guarantee beforehand that one would have applicants in respect of this type of education in every school and, therefore, it would be imprudent to stipulate that they would have provision if one did not have some guarantee that they would be required.

Would it not be possible——

The Deputy is anticipating Question No. 36.

Question No. 36 is about mentally handicapped children. I am asking a question in relation to physically handicapped children, which is Question No. 35. Does the Minister not think it reasonable that some of the more basic and inexpensive things, such as ramps and steps, should be provided and that the Department should endeavour to see that they are provided?

The Deputy can rest assured that everybody in the Departments, including Ministers and Ministers of State, shares the Deputy's concern that the handicapped should get the best that is available. I will make inquiries on the matters to which he has drawn attention. Where it is possible for us to integrate the handicapped we will be concerned to do so.

36.