asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that, while in theory free primary education to the age of 14 is available to all children, in fact certain mentally handicapped children under 14 are forced to pay for educational facilities on the grounds that they are receiving medical treatment; and whether, in view of the fact that medical treatment and therapy are an essential part of the education of many handicapped children, he will take steps, if necessary in conjunction with the Minister for Health, to ensure that the education of these children will be free in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Education for Mentally Handicapped Children.
25.
I am not satisfied that medical treatment forms part of the education of handicapped children. Such treatment has always been provided not as part of but aside from their education.
The whole question of the education, treatment and care of mentally handicapped children is at present being examined arising out of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on Mental Handicap.
The Minister for Health has furnished information in that regard in reply to another question on to-day's Order Paper.
On which question did he give the information?
Question No. 23.
He said nothing.
That is the Deputy's opinion.
Did I hear the Minister say he thought there was nothing unusual in mentally handicapped children having to pay some fees——
No.
——for medical treatment?
The Deputy must have had a reply in his head. I did not give that one. May I repeat the reply? I am not satisfied that medical treatment forms part of the education of handicapped children.
Why should it not?
Such treatment has always been provided not as part of but aside from their education. The whole question of the education, treatment and care of mentally handicapped children is at present being examined arising out of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on Mental Handicap. The Minister for Health has furnished information in that regard in reply to another question on to-day's Order Paper.
I am only asking a simple question: is the Minister aware that mentally handicapped children are being charged for medical care and attention?
I am aware that they are not being charged for education which is——
I did not say that.
——which is my responsibility. The Minister for Health has said that the position of such children is being examined arising out of the report.
Is the Minister aware that mentally handicapped children are being required to pay for medical care while being educated?
I have no function except in regard to their education and they are not being charged for that. If the Deputy wishes to put down a question with regard to their medical treatment, he should address it to the Minister for Health.
Is the Minister aware that there is no accommodation for many of these children and could he take some steps to see that suitable accommodation is provided for them at an early date?
I suggest that that is a separate question, but in reply to the Deputy, he is probably aware that this whole matter is under consideration in my Department.
Everything is under consideration but nothing is being done.
Would the Minister agree that it is virtually impossible to establish the dividing line between health and education and would he further agree that this should be left as the responsibility of one Minister or the other?
I am not aware of what the Deputy suggests, but if further examination should reveal the truth or otherwise of that suggestion, then the Minister for Health and I are quite capable of getting together on the matter.
Surely the Minister is aware that what Deputy Clinton referred to has been a matter of urgent concern in both the Department of Health and the Department of Education for many years and surely the time has come to have some decision?
The time will come.
It should be the responsibility of one Minister or the other. They were throwing it from one Minister to the other in the last Dáil also.