Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 4

Written Answers. - Physically Handicapped Children In Education.

Austin Currie

Question:

182 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health the provision being made by his Department to ensure suitable wheelchairs at schools attended by physically handicapped children; if he has satisfied himself that the level of such provision is sufficient to ensure equality of educational opportunity for handicapped children.

Austin Currie

Question:

183 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health the co-operation that exists between his Department and the Department of Education to ensure equality of educational opportunity for physically handicapped children; and if he has satisfied himself with the level of such co-operation.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.

There is considerable co-operation between my Department and the Department of Education in relation to the provision of services to physically handicapped children in education. Most of the special schools are operated by voluntary agencies who, with considerable assistance from my Department, provide a range of other services including medical and paramedical services, day care, residential care facilities, vocational training and the supply of technical aids and appliances.

I am aware of the need for ongoing review of the co-operation that exists between the two Departments. I will be giving careful consideration to the recommendations in this regard from the Special Education Review Committee and the Review Group on Physical and Sensory Disability who are both looking at this issue. I should point out that a representative of the Department of Education is a member of the Review Group on Physical and Sensory Disability and my Department is represented on the Special Education Review Group. The Deputy will be interested to know that the report of the Special Education Review Committee will be available shortly. More generally, I am confident that the establishment of the Department of Equality and Law Reform will help to ensure a high level of co-operation between all Government Departments concerning issues of relevance to persons with a disability.

The provision of wheelchairs is a matter for the health boards. In general I am satisfied with the provision of wheelchairs to children in education. I am aware that certain difficulties can arise from time to time in relation to the supply of wheelchairs. In certain instances depending on the disability, there may be a delay in providing a customised chair. However, in these situations a standard wheelchair is provided in the interim. The supply of wheelchairs and other technical aids will be addressed by the Review Group on Physical and Sensory Disability. I would however, point out that health boards are spending an additional £100,000 on the purchase of technical aids and equipment from the £1.5 million made available this year for the development of services for those with physical and sensory disabilities.