Vol. 244 No. 8
andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Education how he proposes to implement the Report of the Commission on Mental Handicap concerning the provision of nursery units, specialised teachers, special classes and special schools in view of the absence of details as to the existing needs and facilities as investigations would prove too lengthy and laborious.
119.
andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Education the estimated total number of (a) mildly and (b) moderately mentally handicapped children in the Republic; whether a curriculum of general education has been devised to cover the age seven to 16 years; and how many special schools and nursery schools and classes to cater for how many pupils have been provided in accordance with the recommendations on the Report of the Commission on Mental Handicap 1965.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions No. 118 and No. 119 together.
Exact information as to the number of mentally handicapped children is not available for this country nor indeed for any country. However, the target figures set out by the Commission on Mental Handicap are being used as a guide by my Department. Information in regard to the needs of particular areas has been and is being obtained through the local health authorities, voluntary associations, school managers and other interested persons and also by means of surveys presently being carried out by my Department.
To date there are 19 special schools for educable moderately mentally handicapped pupils with an enrolment of more than 1,400 pupils. There are 20 special schools for mildly mentally handicapped pupils and 21 special classes in ordinary national schools which cater for pupils assessed as mildly mentally handicapped. The total enrolment of mildly mentally handicapped pupils in these schools and classes is 2,300. A curriculum of general education for pupils up to at least 16 years of age is in operation in the schools. A special training course for teachers of the mildly mentally handicapped has been provided since 1961 and in conjunction with this a special course for teachers of the moderately mentally handicapped has been provided since 1967.
At present there are no special nursery units for mentally handicapped children. Some children in the pre-school age groups are catered for in the residential centres and care units associated with special day-schools. As services develop, special day nursery units will be established by the Department of Health wherever the diagnostic assessment and advisory services find a sufficient number of children who are suitable and whose parents are willing to send them to such a unit.
I appreciate the information the Minister has given us, but to what extent does this meet the requirements of the 3,700 in the two categories referred to? To what extent does it meet the needs?
The target in relation to the moderately handicapped was 1,400.
I thought that was what the Minister had achieved.
That is what we have achieved. The target was 1,400 and we have achieved that. In relation to the report, their 1,400 was within certain age groups—for example, seven to 15 —and it began with, I think, an IQ of 35 to 50. We are going beyond that so that the fact that we have 1,400 does not mean the whole matter is cleared up. If a child is assessed at an IQ of 30 but is regarded as having some potential that child is taken into the school. In relation to the moderately handicapped, I would reckon that we still have to cater for between 300 and 600. With regard to the mildly mentally handicapped, the target was 5,000 and we have 2,300 places. We are moving as rapidly as we can but the Deputy will appreciate that it is easier to recognise moderately mentally handicapped children than it is to recognise mildly mentally handicapped children and the progress is, therefore, relatively slower. We are carrying out assessments as rapidly as possible and we have made very worthwhile progress.
To what extent is the Minister linked with the Department of Health in this? Is there liaison between the two?
Of course there is. The Department of Health are concerned, for example, with the establishment of nursery units. We have not got any of these yet but, so far as we are concerned, we would accept children from the normal school age, starting at four. The problem, however, is to recognise them at that particular stage.
Does the Minister take over then at a particular age?
Not exactly. At the moment we are dealing in the main with the matter within the limits of the Deputy's question—seven to 16.
But the Minister for Health is responsible for institutional care?
Yes, and I am responsible for education. This is where the error arose in the statement made by a county medical officer, a statement which was referred to in an earlier question. He thought the matter was educational when, in fact, it was a health matter. When the health unit is set up we add to it the necessary provision for education.
Could the Minister say whether there are places in some of the special day schools which are not filled because there are no arrangements for free transport?
That is a separate question, but such is not likely.
It is relevant.
I can assure the Deputy I have a particular interest in handicapped children.
Ordinary children have free transport while the mentally handicapped have not.
That is not so.
Is the Minister satisfied that arrangements are such that a child can go from one of these schools under the Department of Health and continue his education right through under the Department of Education? Is there not at present a gap between the two?
So far as we are concerned we make an assessment in the various counties of children many of whom may be identified. The teachers may report a certain number of children they think in need of special education and the county medical officer is in the main responsible for having these assessments carried out. Psychologists and in some instances psychiatrists are provided and, when the assessment is made, the particular type of education which should be provided is decided on.
And can these children get that education?
Yes. As I pointed out, we have made great strides in the last few years and I hope we will continue to make even greater strides in the future.
