Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
56 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has been excluded from school, has no respite and their father has no care at home for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33338/12]
View answer58 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has been excluded from school, has no respite and their father has no care at home for them. [33393/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 58 together.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the provision of education falls within the remit of the Minister for Education and Skills in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1998.
With regard to the specific case raised by the Deputy, the Department of Education and Skills has advised that an appeal against a decision by the Board of Management of the school to exclude the young person in question was determined under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. It is understood that the appeal was not upheld and home tuition has been provided by the Department of Education and Skills pending the availability of a suitable educational placement.
I have been advised that the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), under the remit of my Department, has been working with the family over a period of time. The National Council for Special Education also has a role in this case. The NEWB has provided assistance to the family in the appeals process under the Education Act, 1998. An Education Welfare Officer of the Board continues to assist the family and efforts are continuing to access an appropriate educational placement at an early date as well as appropriate clinical services to support the young person in question.
