asked the Minister for Education if he will provide the necessary para-educational and paramedical services, deemed essential in special schools, to ordinary schools who now cater for mentally handicapped children.

I am not clear what the Deputy has in mind in using the term "para-educational and para-medical" in this context and would be glad if he would clarify the matter for me in another question.

The point of the question simply is that, as there are some schools which take some mentally handicapped children on the basis of finance available only to normal primary schools, I am anxious to know whether the Minister would consider making available to such normal primary schools additional facilities that may be requested by teachers and management for the education of mildly mentally handicapped children in their care.

When it is indicated to the Department that a handicapped child can be accommodated in a local national school, all the adaptations required will be made with a view to having made available the best facilities possible.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.