Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Teenage Pregnancies.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

504 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science the research data available to him on teenage pregnancy; the recommendations made to his Department in these reports; and the implementation to date in this regard. [23126/00]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

505 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science the initiatives taken by his Department in relation to teenage pregnancies; the number of teenage pregnancies in the years 1995 to 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23130/00]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

507 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science the services available to young pregnant women who wish to continue in second level education; his policy in this regard; and the number of young women who have been unable to remain in second level education in these circumstances. [23192/00]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

508 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science if data are available in his Department for the number of young pregnant women continuing in second level education; if he has information to outline the practice in other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23193/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 504, 505, 507 and 508 together.

My Department does not prescribe any special rules for the treatment of pregnant schoolgirls by school authorities. However, my Department would expect that in dealing with any particular case, school management would have regard to the sensitivity of the situation and would have as its priority the well-being of the pupil concerned. My Department would hope that pregnancy would cause no more than a temporary absence from school and each pupil would be in a position to resume her education following the birth of the child.

It will be appreciated that no two sets of circumstances will be identical and, accordingly, management practice will vary from case to case. Generally, when it comes to the attention of the school that a pupil is pregnant, the school authorities check to ensure that the girl is receiving suitable medical assistance and counselling advice. Schools endeavour to be sensitive and understanding to the girl's needs while trying to ensure that her education is not neglected.

Home tuition is provided for pregnant schoolgirls who are pupils at recognised schools. It is provided for pupils who are absent from school during the later stages of pregnancy or immediately following the birth of a baby, when attendance may be impractical.

The intention is to provide compensatory instruction during the time immediately before or after the birth of their babies when attendance at school may be impractical. It is intended that the tuition will minimise the disruption to the girls' education and so maximise their chance of continuing in school to complete the senior cycle, which is in line with Government policy to improve school retention rates; that it will enable pupils to sit the junior certificate or leaving certificate examinations at the earliest possible opportunity, and that it will be an indication to schools which are expected to support pregnant schoolgirls that my Department is willing to offer these pupils some practical support.

The arrangements made at examination time for a pregnant school girl depend on her particular circumstances at the time.

A candidate may not wish to sit for her examinations in the main centre, in which case she may take her exams in a special room in the school. If a candidate is in hospital, arrangements can be made for her to take her exams there.

If a candidate feels unwell during the course of the examinations, she may be allowed to leave the examination centre and be readmitted provided that she has been in the care of the principal or a representative of the school authority during her absences. In exceptional circumstances, a candidate may take the examinations at a later time than the scheduled time but on the same day.

My Department does not have any research data available on teenage pregnancy, information on the number of teenage pregnancies in the years 1995 to 2000, the number of young women who have been unable to remain in second level education in these circumstances, the number of young pregnant women continuing in second level education or details on the practice in other EU countries.