I thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for the opportunity to raise, on behalf of the parents' council of Mount Saint Joseph's national school, New Ross, the lack of facilities for disabled children. This primary school is in urgent need of ramps and special toilet facilities for two spina bifida pupils, two nine-year-old boys.
Before giving the history of the attempt of the school to obtain these facilities from the Department, I want to put on record the tremendous commitment of Mr. Jackie Stacey, his staff and indeed the sixth-class pupils at this school to ensure that these two boys, and any other disabled pupils who would attend the school, manage to take part fully in the school curriculum. The sixth class pupils have a rota to lift the wheelchairs of these two children in and out of the school, to bring them to and from the toilets and to ensure they are brought in and out of the playground at playtime.
It has got to the point where serious insurance questions must be asked in terms of the risks to the sixth class boys who are, after all, 12 and 13 year olds, lest they suffer any physical injury from carrying wheelchairs around the school, and about the two boys in the wheelchairs because, if they fell from a wheelchair, there would be a serious medical consequences given their physical condition.
Concern is now being raised by parents in relation to the delay by the Department of Education in providing these necessary facilities. On 13 November 1992 — during the election campaign — the parents' council wrote to the Taoiseach. Two days later, on 16 November 1992 the Taoiseach acknowledged their letter. On 2 December 1992 they received a letter from the then Minister for Education, Deputy Séamus Brennan which stated that the necessary works would be put in train at the earliest possible date. He was referring specifically to the installation of the facilities necessary for handicapped children, the ramp and the toilet facilities in particular.
It is now some 15 months later. I do not consider that the work has been done "at the earliest possible date". We all agree we want to integrate disabled children into our ordinary schools system. Not only is it extremely important for the children themselves, it is also extremely important for children who do not have a physical handicap to be able to cope with their fellow pupils who have difficulties. I should like to encourage all schools to open their doors to as many disabled children as they can to ensure those children's full participation in the schools curriculum.
To be fair to the Minister — although I have not spoken to her on the matter — I think that would also be her policy. I cannot accept the delay in providing the facilities for the two spina bifida pupils who attend this primary school in New Ross given that, in the heat of an election campaign the Minister for Education of the day promised that these facilities would be provided at the earliest possible date.
I hope the Minister of State brings me good news in relation to the provision of these facilities.
