Trevor Sargent
Question:467 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education the facilities and options, if any, which are open to difficult children who cannot be categorised as retarded but may get into trouble if neglected by the education system.
Written Answers. - Educational Facilities.
Trevor Sargent
Question:469 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education the facilities and options, if any, which are open to difficult children who cannot be categorised as retarded but may get into trouble if neglected by the education system.
There can be a variety of reasons why certain children display difficult or disruptive behaviour within the normal education system. In many instances it is also the case that the behaviour in question proves to be of short duration.
The precise nature and level of response required to deal with such situations will vary depending on the severity of the problem and the underlying causes involved.
In very many cases, such difficulties are capable of being addressed in the ordinary school setting through a more intensive focus on the particular needs of the child. Where necessary, this is achieved through the provision of back-up support to the ordinary teaching staff by way of remedial teachers, resource teachers or the special ex-quota teachers dedicated to the needs of children from disadvantaged areas.
Where there are indications of more serious or ongoing emotional disturbance, arrangements are made to have the child assessed by the relevant health authority and, if necessary, an appropriate placement is arranged in one of the 14 special schools dedicated to the needs of such children. Eleven of these schools are in the Dublin area, and one each in Cork, Galway and Kilkenny.
Where a child has become totally alienated from the conventional school system, as evidenced by persistent truancy and perhaps indications of involvement in minor crime and delinquency, arrangements can be made for placement in one of the youth encounter projects provided to address the needs of such children.
There are four such projects in operation at present. Two are located in Dublin and one each in Cork and Limerick.