asked the Minister for Education the reason a specialist language and learning unit (details supplied) in Dublin 2 with five children on roll is prevented from enrolling a number of language-disordered children who have been referred to.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Specialist Language and Learning Unit.
8.
The authorities of the school in Baggot Street in which the special class is located have recently indicated that six new pupils have been referred to that special class and have sought permission to increase the enrolment in the class to eight pupils. The matter is currently being investigated. I should say, however, that the special class in question, which was first established privately, was subsequently granted official recognition on the grounds of the special relationship which already existed between the pupils and the teacher involved.
I would ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, to bear with me for two minutes on this very important subject. These children suffer from what they call language disorder. For a considerable period of time the Department of Education insisted in some instances that these children were mentally retarded. In one particular case a child was referred to a school for the mentally retarded and only for the fight of the parents to do something in this area and to set up the Association of the Speech and Language Impaired these unfortunate children would have been left languishing in some cases in mental institutions. The Department of Education——
I want to assist the Deputy but we must proceed by way of supplementary questions.
I would like to point out to the Minister that the Department of Education have consistently endeavoured to block any attempt to provide special facilities for these children. Is it true to say that the first unit which was established in St. Patrick's, Drumcondra, now has a lengthy waiting list, whereas we were told originally there was no need for this type of specialist education? Is it also true to say that consistent attempts are made within the Department to close down St. Angela's because the Department officials never wanted it in the first place? Is it further true to say, which is quite ridiculous, that one school now has a lengthy waiting list while another school has only five pupils and that the Department will not give the sanction which would allow these unfortunate children with this disablement into that particular school?
I have allowed the Deputy a lot of latitude on this question.
Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, but let me ask one final supplementary. Is the Minister aware that the antagonism shown towards this school is of such an extent that they have deprived the parents of speech therapy facilities for these five unfortunate children and is she further aware——
The Deputy is making no more than a long speech.
——that the parents are paying £6,500 out of their own pockets to provide a speech therapist?
This is not in order.
It is disgraceful discrimination.
During the term of office of the previous Government I raised this question from the Opposition benches.
I appreciated the Minister's support.
I am aware that at that time there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing in regard to this unit. Many of the difficulties which the Deputy has referred to were very evident at that time and we have since cleared up many of these. As the Deputy spoke I recalled Deputy Liam Fitzgerald and I pushing this case and having a measure of success. I accept that the Deputy is very anxious about this matter and, as I pointed out, I have asked that this matter be investigated. I am awaiting a report. This is a matter I have a great interest in and when the report becomes available I am agreeable to meeting with the Deputy to discuss the matter further.
In the meantime would the Minister try to have speech therapy facilities made available for these unfortunate children?
That is a matter for the Eastern Health Board. It is not a matter for my Department.