Vol. 419 No. 7
2 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education if he will outline his proposals, if any, to take over additional responsibility for the care of the mentally handicapped and special education, as at present the sub-dividing of this responsibility between two or more Departments is causing great difficulties, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is not my intention, nor would I regard it as appropriate, that my Department should take over full responsibility for the care of the mentally handicapped.
It is of course the case that in so far as mentally handicapped children of schoolgoing age are concerned, my Department have a key role to play in their educational development. This role is exercised primarily through the special education system and involves a high degree of co-ordination with the relevant health authorities.
The report of the Review Group on Mental Handicap Services, commissioned by the Minister for Health, made a number of recommendations for increased co-ordination between the Departments of Health and Education in the provision of services for children with general learning difficulties. It did not recommend that all functions relating to the training and education of people with a mental handicap be taken over by the Minister for Education. The Department of Health, and my Department, have commenced discussions in relation to the educational aspects of provision for mentally-handicapped persons.
In addition, the special education review committee, established by my predecessor, are to report and make recommendations on the educational provision for children with special needs, including those with mental handicap. A specific term of reference of that committee is to report on the linkages which should exist with other Departments and services provided under their aegis.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Is the Minister aware of the great frustration and hardship inflicted on parents and the various societies looking after the mentally handicapped because of the conflict between the responsibility of the Departments of Health and Education? Is the Minister aware that there is often a buck-passing exercise between the Departments in which they disclaim responsibility? This problem would be alleviated if the Department of Education, for instance, were made entirely responsible for the educational needs of mentally handicapped children.
I wish it was that simple. I share the Deputy's concern that we should not subject the mentally handicapped to any bureaucracy. We should certainly stamp out the possibility of falling between two stools. As the Deputy knows, the Department of Education provide education services and the Department of Health provide medical and paramedical services through the health boards. It would be difficult for the Department of Education to provide medical or paramedical services, just as it would be difficult for the Department of Health to provide educational services. However, I am optimistic. Mr. Declan Brennan, a former distinguished Secretary of the Department of Education, is chairing a committee that has undertaken to report to me before the autumn. He has been specifically asked to examine the link between the Departments and how we might improve the co-ordination so that the children in question can get the best possible service. I share the Deputy's determination that lack of co-ordination between two key Departments should not affect the services to the mentally handicapped. An input from both Departments is needed, given the expertise required.
Will the Minister examine the provision of child care assistance to special classes in primary schools or to special schools? Often the Department of Education say it is a matter for the Department of Health and vice versa. I have not succeeded in getting to the bottom of this despite the fact that I have been spokesperson for my party on this subject for one year. Who is responsible for the provision of child care assistance for special classes in national schools? Are the Department of Health or the Department of Education responsible? Will somebody accept responsibility? Will the Minister look into that matter?
I will certainly do that. I want to recommit myself to removing any lack of co-ordination or gap between Departments when it comes to the handicapped. I might remind the Deputy that in the introduction to the Green Paper which I published recently, I laid out six aims for the development of education. I placed as No. 1 on that list the tackling of the disadvantaged which comes right into this area. Therefore, I am as anxious as is the Deputy to stamp out any lack of co-ordination. I will encourage the Declan Brennan committee to let me have their recommendations as a matter of urgency.
I thank the Minister.
