asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been drawn to the work of the Camphill Village Trust for mentally handicapped children in Great Britain; and whether he will suggest to the Commission considering these matters to visit the Camphill Village Trust working community at Botton with a view to investigating the suitability of work on these lines for Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Children.
3.
I am aware of the Botton village community which appears to have been initiated in 1954. It is conducted in accordance with the principle of the anthroposophical movement established by Rudolf Steiner. This movement manifests itself in many activities in addition to the Botton enterprise, including schools for normal children, schools for retarded and other handicapped children, a college for adults to inculcate the principles of the movement, an organisation known as the Biodynamic Agricultural Association, of which the Anthroposophic Agricultural Foundation is a component, the Goethean Science Foundation, a pharmaceutical manufacturing and importing company, a School of Eurythmy and a school of Speech Training and Dramatic Art, as well as a publishing company and a Bookshop Centre.
The attention of the Commission on Mental Handicap was drawn to the Botton venture. It is a matter for the Commission to consider whether a visit would be worth while.
Do I detect in the Minister's reply a strong prejudice against this establishment? I am not informed at all, but I understand it is actively engaged in the care of mentally retarded children. The establishment has commended itself to certain people interested in this work in Ireland as a desirable one. Would the Minister not think it desirable to take an objective look at this branch of the work to see if it has anything to offer?
The Deputy asked me if I knew anything about the movement and I told him about it to the extent which one can gather knowledge from publications. I am completely without prejudice about it. Responsibility in this matter rests with the Commission on Mental Handicap who have certain publications relating to this body before them. What action they propose to take I do not know.
Is the Minister not prepared to say that, in his judgment, the Commission would be well advised at least to inform themselves as to the work that is proceeding, with a view to judging it on its merits?
I think that would be a usurpation on my part of the work of the Commission.