I have been informed that my Department has no record of receiving details of the recommendations arising from the first national conference on teenage pregnancy in Ireland. Accordingly, I am not in a position to comment on the recommendations referred to by the Deputy.
This Government is committed to reducing the number of pupils, including young single parents, who leave school before completion of the senior cycle. My Department does not prescribe any special rules for the treatment of pregnant schoolgirls by school authorities. However, I 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. I 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.
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 appropriate 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 to pregnant schoolgirls who are pupils at recognised schools. It is provided to 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.
