asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the required formal qualifications for teachers of speech and language impaired persons in the various types of educational establishments in which they are placed at present; and if she considers such qualifications to be adequate.

Teachers on recognised staffs of national schools who instruct speech and language impaired pupils would, in the first instance, have to hold the qualifications required under the rules for national schools.

Recognised teachers in special national schools who instruct such children would normally hold, as a specialised additional qualification, the diploma for teachers of the deaf and/or the diploma for teachers in special schools.

Both of these qualifications include expert training for teachers who deal with children having language and speech difficulties. I am satisfied that the present level of teacher training and the standard of the courses mentioned are fully adequate.

Is the Minister aware that there is a considerable level of concern among parents because of the slow progress of their children in certain areas? Would he accept that that is the case?

I am not aware of the concern expressed by the Deputy. If the Deputy has any case in mind and brings it to my attention I shall see if I can deal with the matter. The question I am asked is in relation to teachers. I am not aware that there are serious problems as mentioned by the Deputy.

Is the Minister satisfied, therefore, that the level of qualifications here is quite adequate to deal with the problem of speech and language impairment?

I am advised and am satisfied that the system of equipping teachers to deal with the problem mentioned in the question is adequate. There are teachers on specific courses to deal with problems of that sort. I am quite satisfied, particularly at primary level, that the facilities provided are adequate. If the Deputy is talking about post-primary, that is an area I should like to examine further. The answer is: yes, I am satisfied.

Is the Minister satisfied in general — I know we are talking about the teachers, but naturally teachers and students are intertwined — that as students move along from the primary school attending age they are adequately equipped to be absorbed into the second level?

That is a separate question.

With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, the Minister has already referred to it.

I have already referred to it in reply to a supplementary question from the Deputy but I have already said I am happy with the facilities available.

Are there formal examination qualifications required of these teachers in addition to the ordinary teaching qualification and, if so, can he say when those standards were first set?

In this particular case one is talking about a very wide area of different disabilities in children. It is very rare that there is one impairment alone, in other words, one is talking about a very wide area. What I have said is that there is no specific training beyond the ordinary or normal qualifications of primary school teachers in the training colleges but we have courses regularly organised for teachers to deal with that problem.

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