Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Educational Needs of Disabled Person.

Mr. Molloy

This matter relates to a young 17-year-old girl who suffers from severe epileptic fits known as petit mal and grand mal. I do not think it is appropriate for me to read into the record of the House the medical circumstances of this girl or the personal circumstances of her family. In view of the fact that he is now fully aware of the very difficult circumstances which apply in this case and the long time her family has waited for the Department of Education and the Department of Health to make a decision in regard to this application, I appeal to the Minister to make available a grant of £30,000 to enable this young girl to attend St. Piers Lingfield Special School in England where she can receive beneficial treatment and benefit from the special facilities and techniques available.

I find it very strange that this family, which has a very difficult time because of the poor health of this girl, has been left for so long without a decision being made by the Department of Health. I have in front of me letters dating back as far as March 1993 which state that the Minister for Education is looking into the matter. The delay in this case is extraordinary. All other treatment has failed and the facilities available at St. Piers Lingfield Special School would be of great benefit to this girl. Her family cannot possibly afford to pay the cost of keeping her at this school for the intended period of two years. It is believed by the experts, the doctors and the social workers, that she would benefit greatly from attending this school.

This 17 year old girl has spent the last three years lying in bed all day with absolutely no future and it is believed these facilities would greatly help her if she could only gain admittance to the school. Her parents have asked me — I spoke to them a short time ago on the phone — to appeal to the Minister for Education and the Minister for Health to approve this application and not to leave them in agony any longer.

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Mr. Aylward)

I am aware of this case, as is the Minister for Education, and it is receiving urgent attention in the Department. From the Deputy's contribution he is obviously aware that another Department is involved in this case and we hope to have the necessary information from it in the very near future.

The Department of Education responds to the special educational needs of children with disabilities by providing an extensive network of special schools and special classes in ordinary schools. Resources for the operation of these facilities are provided by the Department. As well as teachers, such children may require the support of medical, therapy and care personnel on a continuous basis and these are generally provided by the health authorities.

The student in question is 17 years old and has been assessed as functioning within the range of mild learning difficulties. In addition she suffers from epilepsy. She attended a special school for a number of years and latterly attended a special class for pupils with mild mental handicap. Her difficult epilepsy created problems during the last few years and because of this medical condition her parents were obliged to withdraw her from the school.

The Deputy will appreciate that the question of funding educational placement of a pupil outside the jurisdiction requires detailed consideration. In particular, it is necessary to establish that no suitable facility is available within the State which can meet the needs of this pupil, educationally and medically. This has necessitated detailed consultation between the Department and the relevant health authorities.

As part of this process it is necessary to have regard to up-to-date medical and psychological assessments of the pupil's needs and to the adequacy of available support services in this jurisdiction to meet them. Information presented to the Department to date in these areas has not been sufficient to clarify these matters and further data is awaited from the health authorities.

I understand that the additional information requested will be made available to the Department in the next day or so, and I assure the Deputy that upon receipt of this information the Department will act with all possible speed in deciding on this request.

I will advise the Deputy of the outcome.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.5 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 9 February 1994.