Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 10

Written Answers. - Pupils with Learning Problems.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

144 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education her views on whether there are sufficient facilities for the education of pupils with severe learning and discipline problems; the provision which exists for the pupils who have difficulties in both general and special schools with particular reference to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the efforts which have been made to ensure that this person can attend a school other than one for young offenders, having regard to the fact that he does not fall into this category.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

A complete list of all special schools, which cater for pupils with severe learning problems, showing location under the various headings is being forwarded to the Deputy. Most special schools cater for the region in which they are located apart from a small number of very specialised schools which cater for pupils from the entire country. Enrolment is a matter for the board of management of each school but my Department is not aware of accommodation difficulties regarding the enrolment of pupils in any special school.

All assessments on the child whose case is raised in the question, indicate a requirement for residential placement in a special school for mildly mentally handicapped pupils. My information is that the health board social worker with responsibility for this case is endeavouring to secure such a placement. Because of the residential element, placements such as this one are a matter for the local health board.