Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
376. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the way special educational needs organisers who are neither medical nor educational professionals can adjudicate on the veracity or otherwise of such professionals' recommendations as to the needs of children (details supplied). [23358/16]
View answer377. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his views on proposals that two special needs assistants, for example, can adequately tend to the acute care needs of six children simultaneously (details supplied). [23361/16]
View answer378. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his views on where Children First and health and safety legislation implies two adults must hoist, toilet, change and clean a child, as in any clinical setting, yet the National Council for Special Education reports that the Department of Education and Skills has no such ruling in place for school teachers or special needs assistants; the reason one adult and one child would be compromised in an educational and special needs setting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/16]
View answer379. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the administration of medicines by medically untrained teachers and special needs assistants in primary schools is a potentially dangerous situation (details supplied). [23367/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 376 to 379, inclusive, together.
The provision of special education resources are the responsibility of the National Council for Special Education, which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Education & Skills.
In so far as the matters raised by the Deputy involve the provision of specialist disability health and personal social services, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
