asked the Minister for Education whether there has been any review of the education and training programme available to the 2,500 children in reformatory and industrial schools to prepare them for modern occupations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reformatories and Industrial Schools.
19.
There are at present about 1,650 children in 29 industrial schools and about 60 children in three reformatory schools.
In the case of 26 of the industrial schools with about 1,400 children the pupils attend primary and post-primary schools along with children from ordinary homes. The position of the other three industrial schools and of the reformatory schools requires exceptional measures and particularly favourable pupil-teacher ratios and more flexible staffing arrangements have been introduced to meet the needs of the pupils in these schools. A special programme of education particularly suited to the requirements of these pupils is being progressively developed.
Is there any care taken about career guidance in respect of these children who obviously have special problems in this area more so than the average schoolchild?
I explained to the Deputy that in relation to three of these industrial schools and the reformatory schools we have taken exceptional measures in relation to their education by providing them with better pupil/teacher ratio, more flexible staffing arrangements and so on.
20.
asked the Minister for Education if suitable arrangements will be made in the case of children in reformatory and industrial schools to facilitate visits to them by their parents.
Arrangements for visiting by parents of children in these schools are made by the managers of the individual schools.
In order to facilitate visiting, a scheme of free travel facilities for parents or guardians of children in reformatory and industrial schools was introduced in September, 1971.