Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 4

Written Answers. - Residential Care.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

68 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education the action which is being taken to ensure the provision of adequate and appropriate education facilities, near to his home, for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who, due to serious psychological and behavioural problems, has not attended regular schooling for over a year; and the discussions, if any, which have been held with the Department of Health to ensure co-ordination in the provision of residential care, where required for such students.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The psychological assessment on the child in question indicates a requirement for residential placement in a school for mildly mentally handicapped pupils. As I informed the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 12 June 1990, the question of residential placement is a matter for the local health board. However, my Department's school inspector is continuing to liaise closely with the Eastern Health Board on this matter, with a view to securing such a placement as a matter of urgency.