Vol. 486 No. 1
845 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide an appropriate placement for a person (details supplied) in County Meath in the education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1302/98]
884 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, which has been made in identifying appropriate tutors and arranging a suitable school placement with the necessary back-up for a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1613/98]
949 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the efforts, if any, which are being made to provide a mainstream post-junior certificate education place for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2239/98]
I intend taking Questions Nos. 845, 884, and 949 together.
The selection and enrolment of pupils in second level schools is, in the first instance, the responsibility of individual schools. However, in exceptional cases my Department does become involved in trying to establish how best the needs of individual pupils can be met and assists in seeking an appropriate school placement.
My Department's psychological service has liaised extensively with the family in this case endeavouring to make appropriate education provision for the student. Many avenues were explored and arrangements were made to provide home tuition under the auspices of the local VEC. This offer was not taken up by the family.
In addition, a school placement in a mainsteam second level school for the next school year was secured with, in the interim, a placement on a Youthreach programme which is organised by the local vocational education committee. The student attended the Youthreach programme for a short period of time until he advised the Youthreach co-ordinator in January 1998 that he was leaving the programme to take up an apprenticeship.
