asked the Minister for Education whether he will review all cases of committal of juveniles to industrial schools under the School Attendance Act with a view to examining whether the best interests of the children in question are served by such committal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Committal of Juveniles.
I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion made in this question; to do so would be a reflection on the courts responsible for the administration of the Act mentioned. So far as I am aware, children are committed to industrial schools under that Act only when all other efforts to get them to attend school have proved unsuccessful, and when dealing with such cases the courts have the assistance of the personal attendance of witnesses and their sworn testimony. Apart from the fact that it would be improper for me to make the review suggested by the Deputy, I would not have at my disposal for the purpose the same advantages as the courts had in arriving at their decisions.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he aware that from the Dublin District Court the number of committals in 1934 was none; in 1935, approximately 16; in 1936, approximately 19; in 1937, approximately 50; and in 1938, approximately 93? These figures refer to the committal of juveniles to industrial schools and reformatories. I am not suggesting that these were all in connection with the School Attendance Act, but is the Minister aware that the committals have gone up by about 600 per cent. in the last four years, and, in the light of that fact, does he not think it his duty to inquire into the circumstances under which this immensely increased number of children have been taken away from their own homes and lodged in industrial schools or reformatories, with a view to satisfying himself that these children now in his care are there for their advantage, and not for the advantage of somebody else? I want to press this matter on the Minister. Will he look into the fact that 93 children have been passed over to his custody within the last 12 months from the police courts and will he take steps to inquire whether these children are properly in custody now? Very well, Sir, if the Minister does not propose to give me any further satisfaction, I propose to raise this matter on the adjournment.