Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 4

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Noel Ahern

Question:

155 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation in relation to Government policy to transfer responsibility for care and education of children with profound intellectual disability from his Department to the Department of Education and Science; the person who sought this change; the consultation which took place with parents and other groups; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents groups; if he will give a timetable for proposed changes; and if these will be deferred at local level until agreement is reached. [10943/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

There are no proposals for the transfer of responsibility for the care and education of children with profound intellectual disability from my Department to the Department of Education and Science. These children have very complex needs and require a multi-disciplinary response involving both health related and educational supports. Responsibility for the provision of health related support services is a matter for the health boards. The Department of Education and Science has responsibility for the provision of educational services.

I am aware of the concerns which some parents have expressed. There is a need for a high level of co-ordination between both the health and educational services in responding to the very specific needs of these children and my Department and the health services are committed to working with the educational services to ensure that appropriate care and education services are available to children with profound intellectual disability.