Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2004
515 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some schools are locking away asthma inhalers in accordance with schools substance policy guidelines and that this new policy in relation to asthma inhalers is causing problems for certain children and their parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25138/04]
View answerUnder action 43 of the national drugs strategy, guidelines for developing a substance abuse policy were drawn up by my Department in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the health boards. These guidelines were issued to all schools in October 2002 to assist them in the development of appropriate substance abuse policies. The guidelines do not make reference to asthma inhalers. The implementation of the guidelines is the responsibility of the relevant school authorities and if problems arise, parents should raise these with the school in the first instance. In the absence of details, I am unable to comment on the circumstances of the cases raised by the Deputy.
