Adjournment Matters

Special Educational Needs

Senator Marie Moloney

I thank the Minister, Deputy Quinn, for taking the time to come to the House to deal with this issue. To me, education is a right, not a privilege. It is important to give children the very best possible start in life. When one of these children has a physical disability but a perfect IQ, we need to make a special effort to bring out the best in thatchild.

The young child to whom I refer today has a perfect IQ for his age but he is non-verbal and communicates mostly with his eyes because this is the most voluntarily controllable part of his body for technological use. A number of low-tech methods are used to enable him to communicate, namely, an icon board and symbols or photos, a Big Mac switch and a step-by-step communicator. While switch technology has been trialled with this child, he does not have the motor control to time his hits and, therefore, using a single switch scanning method for selecting options on a screen would be very difficult and very frustrating for this child from a communication perspective. Various Eyegaze technological devices have been trialled in the past two years with this young child, and this has proved to be most beneficial in the sense that he can select voluntarily for himself for the first time options on a screen in front of him. This opens huge potential for him in the future for both communication and learning.

This young boy's parents have had to constantly fight for his rights since the day he was born. For example, they applied for a grant to renovate their house and add a special unit for their son. They got the grant from the council but when they went to claim back the VAT, because the occupational therapist had not put it in writing before they applied, they were refused and lost out on approximately €12,000 in VAT. They then went to put their child into school, only to be told by the school principal that she was not willing to take him and felt he would be too difficult to manage. The classroom teacher also felt that the child could not keep up with the other children, who move very quickly. The parents were in absolute shock and did not know what to do. Luckily, they found a school ten miles away, in a town the Minister will know well, but this means they must now make two 20-mile round trips a day. In addition, because it is not his local school, he cannot get school transport. They are now fighting the Department of Education and Skills for this facility. When the Department refused them, they then went to the HSE but it has refused them. They are totally frustrated with fighting red tape and bureaucracy since the child was born.

It is incumbent on us, as a Government, to ensure this child is helped and that the best is brought out in him. The only way he can communicate is with the assistance of Eyegaze technology. The Ombudsman ruled last week on a very similar case which found in favour of a child who had not received assistive technology and found that the Department should have provided that technology. I am sure the Minister is au fait with the case. Before the parents in this case decide to go down the road of contacting the Ombudsman, I said I would have one more try with the Minister, which is why I am here today. I plead with the Minister to approve this technology for this child. Without it, he is lost.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

I am pleased to have been given the opportunity by the Senator to clarify the position on the provision of assistive technology support for children with special educational needs. The assistive technology scheme is administered by the Department of Education and Skills and has a specific purpose, as set out Circular M14/05, which is to provide assistive technology support to children who have been diagnosed as having serious physical or communicative disabilities to the degree which makes ordinary communication through speech and-or writing impossible for them. The original aim of the assistive technology scheme was to provide equipment for visually and hearing impaired children to access the curriculum. In recent years, this has been extended to also provide other equipment for pupils with physical and communicative disabilities.

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to the Department where assistive technology is required.

In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing IT equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. In such circumstances, the NCSE may recommend the provision of assistive technology support and a grant for the recommended equipment may be paid to the school by the Department of Education and Skills.

The policy of the Department in regard to the assistive technology scheme is that it does not normally provide for communication devices, which have a general application other than a specific educational application, for which funding is provided for under the HSE aids and appliances scheme. The Department's scheme provides for equipment which is specifically required to access the educational curriculum, as opposed to general communication devices.

In regard to the pupil in question, I can advise that funding has been sanctioned under the Department's assistive technology scheme for this pupil towards the cost of a range of equipment and software. In September 2011, the Department sanctioned a grant of €1,525 to the school concerned for the purchase of a laptop computer, associated software and a printer-scanner for this pupil. I understand that an application was also made to the NCSE for the provision of Eyegaze technology. However, the NCSE did not make a recommendation to the Department for the provision of this equipment on the basis that this is a communication device.

Senator Thomas Byrne

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht deis a thabhairt dom labhairt ar son an rúin seo, a bhaineann le hábhar rí-thábhachtach. Tá mé an-bhuíoch go bhfuil an tAire é féin sa Seanad chun na ceiste seo a phlé.

I welcome this opportunity to raise on the Adjournment the absence from the schools building programme 2012-16 of Eureka secondary school in Kells and O'Carolan college in Nobber. Details of the Government's schools building programme were announced the other day by the Minister for Education and Skills. In so far as they went, I was pleased but quite a number of schools on the list are complete or practically complete. In fact, the only school in north County Meath on the list is Moynalty, which is practically complete.

Two major schools in north County Meath, which were to go into architectural planning — Eureka secondary school in Kells and O'Carolan college in Nobber — were not on the list announced by the Minister. Both these schools are fantastic institutions in their own right and both come very high up in the school league tables, whatever one may think of such tables. They are two rural schools and would greatly benefit from new school buildings. They need such buildings to cater for the expected increase in population in their catchment areas, as well as dealing with current demand.

The previous Government announced extensions for Nobber and a new building for Eureka secondary school, which is the only all girls' school in north County Meath. O'Carolan college is one of the few rural second level schools of its type in north Leinster. In January, I raised the case of Eureka secondary school as an Adjournment matter. I was quite pleased with the reply and thanked the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for the positive progress that was being reported from the Department. I was happy to welcome the announcement and everything seemed fine until the school did not appear on the list. Perhaps the Minister can now outline to the Seanad why Eureka secondary school was not included in the programme announced on Monday. Why are both Eureka secondary school in Kells and O'Carolan college in Nobber absent from the list? These buildings are needed and local people want to know why they have not been included in the list. I know the Minister has a get-out clause in his statement which says that some projects might fall off the list while others might be added. We do not want "ifs" or "buts" however. The people of the area require absolute clarity concerning the Minister's plans for those school buildings.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I thank the Senator for raising the matter, as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the current position on the application for a new school for Eureka secondary school, Kells, County Meath, and an extension to the O'Carolan college in Nobber, County Meath.

The Senator may find it helpful if I set out the context within which decisions relating to meeting the accommodation needs of schools must be considered in the coming years. Total enrolment is expected to grow by around 70,000 students between now and 2018 — that is, by over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary. Second level enrolment is expected to continue to rise until at least 2024.

In order to meet the needs of our growing population of schoolgoing children, the Department must establish new schools as well as extending or replacing a number of existing schools in areas where demographic growth has been identified. The delivery of these new schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years.

The five-year programme which I announced on Monday last, will provide over 100,000 permanent school places, of which over 80,000 will be new school places — many in existing schools which have got whole new school buildings. The remainder will be the replacement of temporary or unsatisfactory accommodation. Last week, I announced €35 million to go to that particular replacement of prefabs.

In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet the demographic demands nationally, will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five-year programme is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, it was not possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently.

In the case of the Eureka secondary school in Kells, the brief for the project is to provide a new school for a long-term enrolment of 800 pupils. The current enrolment at the school is 738. The next step will be the tender process for the appointment of a design team.

With regard to O'Carolan college, the brief is to provide an extension and refurbishment to cater for an enrolment of at least 500 pupils. The current enrolment in the school is just over 500. The process of appointing a design team for the extension project is now almost complete. In other words, both schools are still in the process.

School building projects in architectural planning, including the new school project for Eureka secondary school in Kells, and the extension project for O'Carolan college in Nobber, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to give an indicative timeframe for the progression to tender and construction of the projects.

I thank the Senator again for having raised this matter.

Senator Thomas Byrne

It is bitterly disappointing that not one iota of hope is being given to these schools. I welcomed the announcement on Monday in so far as it went, and I also welcomed the prefabs announcement last week. When I saw the list of schools, they need and deserve them, but it is a continuation of previous policy, which needs to be acknowledged.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

It is not.

Senator Thomas Byrne

It is, because many schools in County Meath——

Acting Chairman (Senator Terry Leyden)

In fairness, the Senator should ask a supplementary question in order that the Minister can respond to it.

Senator Thomas Byrne

I just want to respond to the Minister. Many schools in County Meath got prefabs replaced in recent years, and I could name them. However, the Minister's response is bitterly disappointing. I accept the demographic issues but I hope there was no politics involved in the decision-making because rural north Meath was completely left out even though there are demographic issues there. I may raise this issue again on the Adjournment next week, if I can confirm that St. John's and St. Paul's schools in Drogheda have been kept off the list. If so, I will launch a major protest because it would be pure politics and a terrible decision. I have yet to confirm that, but they do not appear to be on the list.

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, in response to the Senator, whom I thank for his brevity.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to update the House on this important compensation scheme. Members will be aware that between 1977 and 1994, at least 1,000 women in Ireland were infected with hepatitis C from contaminated anti-D immunoglobulin produced by the Blood Transfusion Service Board. Following the conclusions of an expert group set up by the Government and a later judicial inquiry known as the Finlay tribunal, which reported in March 1997, a non-statutory compensation scheme was set up in December 1995 and a statutory compensation tribunal came into operation in November 1997. It also was established that approximately 100 of the infected women were blood donors, recycling hepatitis C infection through the blood supply until screening was introduced in 1991. The Government therefore decided to extend the compensation scheme to all people infected with hepatitis C through the administration within the State of infected blood and blood products.

In 2002 the remit of the compensation tribunal was extended to include compensation for HIV infection through blood products. It is estimated that, in total, approximately 1,700 people were infected with hepatitis C. Most of the persons with haemophilia who were infected with hepatitis C also were infected with HIV. The total cost of the hepatitis C and HIV compensation tribunal from 1996 to the end of December 2011, including payments to more than 3,219 claimants, legal fees and administrative costs, is in excess of €1 billion. Approximately 800 claims await a hearing. An actuarial report commissioned by the tribunal estimates that the compensation scheme will continue to cost a significant amount of money in the years ahead.

The Minister continues to support the compensation scheme as an appropriate response to the State's actions in the past. The Government is committed to compensating those who were infected by blood and blood products administered by the State. The Minister is very conscious of the total cost of the compensation scheme and that it will continue to make awards to those affected for many years to come. The Minister will keep the costs and operation of the tribunal under careful review. The priority in this area will be to ensure persons with hepatitis C and HIV are appropriately compensated and that they will receive the services and supports they require to manage their condition. This includes the provision of appropriate home support services and the insurance support scheme whereby people who have a loading on their premium or are deemed uninsurable due to their infection can acquire insurance at the same rate as a non-infected person.

The Minister's focus will continue to be on meeting the needs of persons with hepatitis C and HIV in the best possible way. This comprises both fair compensation and the right services and supports.

Senator Mark Daly

I thank the Minister for his reply.

Infectious Disease Screening Service

Senator John Whelan

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to address this issue, about which I will make every effort to avoid scaremongering or being sensationalist. Although it had been my understanding that tuberculosis, TB, was a disease that largely had been eradicated from the community, it has been brought to my attention that it is re-emerging and that its incidence in the community is again on the rise. This is a matter about which I am alarmed. While I am making an effort to be careful in the wording of my question, the word "consumption" strikes fear into people's hearts. My maternal grandmother unfortunately died of TB at the age of 37. It was a scourge in the 1950s and Dr. Noel Browne is rightly credited with intervening to largely rid the country of this terrible disease.

The Minister should outline what public health measures are in place to monitor what I understand to be the growing incidence of TB in the community. I refer in particular to schools or other public institutions in which the disease could be contagious and passed on. I am deliberately avoiding the citing of specific examples, although cases have been brought to my attention because I do not wish to cause undue distress or anxiety within the community. However, I refer to specific and real occurrences and not simply to a hypothetical threat. I wish to ascertain the HSE's policies in respect of monitoring, testing and keeping the public informed. It is only fair to make children in schools or people working in other public institutions aware to facilitate check-ups or analysis. I understand people can have latent cells without being aware, thereby possibly passing on the disease to others. Parents and the community at large are entitled to know the present status of TB in the community and to be aware of the HSE's policy on monitoring and control.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to this House the importance of the issue raised. As of 1 January 2011, the national TB surveillance system moved to the computerised infectious disease reporting system, CIDR. This has improved timelines for reporting outbreaks. Provisional data for 2010 showed an 11% decline in TB cases, with 427 cases provisionally notified, compared with 472 cases in 2009 and 468 reported for 2008. Up to the end of February 2012, a total of 64 cases were reported. This constitutes a fall from 84 cases during the same period last year. Rates of TB incidence vary in different areas, with higher rates in the east and south and lower rates in the north east and north west. Seven TB outbreaks were reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, during 2010, with 41 active TB cases, 60 cases of latent TB infection and 20 hospitalisations. No deaths were reported from these outbreaks.

Guidelines on the prevention and control of tuberculosis in Ireland were published in April 2010 by the HPSC. The recommendations in these guidelines are based on a review of international literature, expert opinion and an extensive consultation process. They provide advice on the diagnosis and treatment of active TB and latent TB infection, outbreak management and contact tracing procedures and screening for TB in special situations such as, for example, health care settings, new entrants to Ireland, prison and homeless settings.

The HSE service plan for 2012 gives a commitment for health protection to focus on the control of TB. Deliverable outputs in this area for 2012 are to implement TB guidance and develop and implement a TB action plan which reflects the World Health Organization, WHO, targets for the elimination of TB by 2050. There are specific measures in place to control TB, the first of which is diagnosis and treatment. Acute hospitals have facilities for diagnosis, isolation and treatment of patients with TB. Problematic cases may be referred to the specialised TB unit in St. James's Hospital, which also has a TB reference laboratory. Second, this matter concerns contact screening. HSE public health departments investigate all TB notifications to determine possible sources of infection. Persons in contact with those infected are screened and those who are found to have active TB infection or latent TB infection are treated. The third component of the programme relates to vaccination. BCG vaccine is offered to all children, generally at birth. Although the vaccine provides limited protection against TB, it does protect against serious childhood forms such as TB meningitis.

The fourth measure relates to occupational screening. In this context, some occupations, for example, those relating to health care, require screening for TB before persons are allowed to start work.

The fifth measure relates to screening for immigrants. New entrants to Ireland, particularly those who come from countries in which there is a high incidence of TB, are offered screening.

The sixth measure relates to improving awareness of TB in general. In this context, front-line health care workers are regularly reminded to be vigilant of the symptoms and signs of TB infection. In addition, information leaflets explaining various aspects of TB, for example, vaccination, TB tests, treatments, etc., are also available. Furthermore, HSE regional TB committees meet regularly to examine the position vis-à-vis TB in their areas, devise strategies and co-ordinate control activities among health care professionals.

The Department of Health and the HSE remain committed to combating TB in Ireland. I share the Senator's concerns about the sense of doom which surrounded the debate on consumption, so much so that in the past many were afraid to mention it if there was TB in the family. I hope this disease will eventually disappear for good.

Senator John Whelan

I thank the Minister for his thorough and comprehensive response. I am heartened and reassured by the information he has provided on the measures that have been put in place by the Department of Health and the HSE. What has been instituted appears to be wholly comprehensive. I will relay the Minister's reply to the parents and other members of the community who brought their concerns on this matter to my attention. I am sure the information the Minister has provided will readily allay their concerns.

Senator Marie Moloney

May I make a comment?

Acting Chairman (Senator Terry Leyden)

No, that would not be in order at this time. I thank the Minister for coming to the House to take the various matters raised on the Adjournment.

The Seanad adjourned at 4.35 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 15 March 2012.

Seanad Éireann debate - Wednesday, 14 Mar 2012