asked the Minister for Health if health authorities are obliged to provide, free of charge to parents, specialist and institutional treatment in respect of a child whose mental handicap is ascertained at a school medical examination in a national school; and, if not, what charges health authorities are entitled to make in respect of such specialist and institutional treatment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Mentally Handicapped Children.
68.
Section 15 (7) of the Health Act 1953 provides that health authorities shall, in accordance with regulations, make available without charge, institutional and specialist services for pupils of national schools in respect of defects discovered at school health examinations. Defects in this case include mental handicap. As the service is free, the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise. If the Deputy is aware of any case where the requirements of the law are not being observed, I would be glad if he would send me particulars.
I will certainly act on the Minister's suggestion but, on this point, can the Minister say whether or not that provision covers the maintenance of a child in a school part-time resident and part-time at home or is it proper to call on parents to contribute towards the cost of the child in school?
Mr. O'Malley
It would not, in my view, be proper to call on the parents to contribute towards the cost in those circumstances.
Irrespective of the parents' means?