Mr. Brendan Doody:

Yes, there are 20 schools involved in two clusters. The Deputy is absolutely right that we want to try to ensure the transition for young people attending special or mainstream schools is optimal. We want to make sure they make the best choices available to them. For some, that might mean progression to the world of work. For others it might mean a further education or training programme or a place in adult disability services. We want to give young people the full range of options. We have supported the programme through the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities. It has proven to be very successful across the 20 schools. Ten of the schools are in Galway and ten are in Dublin. We have taken the decision to expand that programme next year to 40 special schools. The reason we are focusing on special schools is that is where we find the young people with the greatest level of need. There has also been a commitment to providing guidance counselling services provision in special schools. The Deputy is probably aware that special schools are officially categorised as primary special schools.