HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc342-3W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, with regard to the care, education and training of mentally handicapped children in the Bangor area, he is satisfied that the Eastern Health and Social Services Board has made proper financial allocations in the current financial year, to enable it to discharge its statutory duties; and if he will make a statement on the board's discharge of those duties in the last financial year.

Mr. Carter

Yes. There was, however, a problem for a short period in the last financial year, 1976–77, because of the opening of the Newtownards Adult Training Centre in January 1977. When 14 pupils over 16 and their two instructors transferred from the Bangor school to the new centre, vacancies for pupils under 16 consequently arose in the school. These vacancies could not be filled without the appointment of additional teachers. Finance for these appointments was not available until the current financial year and arrangements were made to appoint two additional teachers to begin work at the beginning of the autumn term.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils over 16 years of age were transferred to the adult training centre in Newtownards from Bangor School for mentally handicapped children in 1976 and how many are expected to be transferred in 1977; how many instructors are employed at the adult training centre, Newtownards and at the Bangor School; and why three instructors were transferred from the Bangor School without proper provision having been made for their replacement.

Mr. Carter

The Adult Training Centre in Newtownards opened in January 1977 and consequently no pupils over 16 were transferred from the Bangor School in 1976. To date in 1977, 14 pupils over 16 have transferred to the Adult Training Centre at Newtownards and it is expected that a further four will transfer later this year. The two instructors employed at the Adult Training Centre were transferred from the Bangor School, and the remaining instructor left at the school is expected to transfer to Newtownards later this year. It was not necessary to replace these instructors in the Bangor school, as there were insufficient pupils over 16 remaining there.

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