Vol. 545 No. 4
391 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the outcome of his visit to an autistic unit at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 on 1 October 2001; if he will authorise the visit of an inspector to the school regarding a number of issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30522/01]
Arising from my visit to the school in question, I arranged for a member of my Department's inspectorate to visit the school to discuss the variety of issues which had been raised. A member of my Department's inspectorate has visited the school on two occasions since my visit on 1 October 2001.
392 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the terms of a ministerial order made by him in June 2001 in respect of a pre-school facility for deaf children under the auspices of the model school for deaf project located in St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys, Cabra, Dublin 7; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the premises in question is not being used for the stated purpose; if his attention has further been drawn to the concerns of the staff of St. Joseph's regarding the implications of such a model school for the existing school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30523/01]
I am aware of the issues to which the Deputy refers.
In the interests of clarity, I would point out that I did not issue any order in relation to the establishment of the model school for the deaf project at St. Joseph's. Any such action on my part would be entirely inappropriate in the circumstances of this case. The decision to admit the project in question was taken by the authorities at St. Joseph's following discussions with officials of my Department and on the understanding that the facility would provide a pre-school service for the children in question. I understand that the authorities at St. Joseph's endorsed the need for such a facility.
However, I am aware that valid concerns have been raised by the staff at St. Joseph's at the manner in which the project in question has subsequently developed. In this connection, my Department has already advised the authorities at St. Joseph's that throughout its dealings with the model school for the deaf project, the focus of the discussions was solely on the development of a pre-school facility. At no stage did my Department agree that the proposed pre-school facility would be developed to cater for children beyond pre-school age or be used for other purposes. No such proposal was raised with my Department in its discussions with the model school for the deaf project and no such proposal was put by my Department to the authorities at St. Joseph's.
My Department has advised the model school for the deaf project of its position in relation to this matter. I have also asked my Department's inspectorate to contact the authorities at St. Joseph's in relation to the matter.
