Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his policy in relation to conductive education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25273/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 provides that a child (defined as a person who is not more than 18 years) with special educational needs shall be educated in an inclusive environment unless such an arrangement is inconsistent with the best interests of the child as determined by an assessment carried out under the EPSEN Act or with the effective provision of education for those children with whom the child is to be educated. The policy of my Department is to secure the maximum possible level of inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream primary and post-primary schools in their locality.

In supporting and promoting an inclusive education policy, supports are provided to schools through the National Council for Special Education so that children with special educational needs may attend their local mainstream school where possible. These supports may be in the form of resource teaching, special needs assistants and technological support.

In addition, my Department funds over 100 special schools, including a number which cater for children with a physical disability. It is the policy of my Department that these special schools draw on a range of teaching and other interventions. In this context, I am aware that some schools have employed elements of conductive education which have been beneficial to some students with a motor disorder. My Department has however no plans at present to develop initiatives based exclusively on the principles of conductive education.