asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that children are discharged from orphanages at 16 years of age without any further education, supervision or control; and whether he has any proposals to provide educational or training facilities for these persons before leaving them out in the world on their own.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Education of Orphans.
24.
I assume the Deputy is referring to certified industrial schools.
It is the normal practice in industrial schools to provide the children in care with such education, including post-primary education, as is suitable to their aptitudes and from which they are capable of benefiting. Many are sent to local secondary or technical schools or provided with instruction in commercial or manual subjects. Extension of a further year in the term of detention of children in care for the purpose of further training is readily granted to the school managers on request.
In the case of orphans whose term of detention expires at the age of 16 or 17, the conductors of the industrial schools arrange either to place them in occupations suited to their abilities or to retain them for further training or education, in some cases extending as far as university courses.
I am satisfied that, by and large, the managers of industrial schools discharge faithfully and conscientiously their responsibility of providing education, training and supervision for those children committed to their care and in this respect go far beyond what is required of them by law.
Pending receipt of the report of the committee set up by the Government in 1967 to survey the reformatory and industrial schools system which is expected some time early in the coming year, it is not proposed to make any changes in the existing arrangements.
When was the committee set up?
Last year, under District Justice Eileen Kennedy. We hope to have a report next month.