andMr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on the report on the reformatory and industrial schools system.
97.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on Reformatory and Industrial Schools.
96.
asked the Minister for Education what steps he now proposes to take to implement the primary aim of the Report of the Committee on Reformatory and Industrial Schools Systems that the system be geared towards the prevention of family breakdown and the problems consequent on it.
98.
asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to adopt the recommendation of the Committee on Reformatory and Industrial Schools Ssystems that all laws relating to child care should be examined, brought up-to-date and incorporated into a composite Children's Act; and, if so, when he expects to introduce this legislation.
99.
asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to revoke the power of a parent or guardian to bring his child before the court as beyond control, in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Reformatory and Industrial Schools Systems.
100.
asked the Minister for Education what steps he proposes to take, and when, to ensure that courts shall have regard to the welfare of the child or young person in deciding what course to take in sentencing such a person.
101.
asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to take steps to remove the two-year minimum commitment period laid down in section 65 of the Children's Act, 1908.
102.
asked the Minister for Education what steps he is taking lo establish a nursery school system in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Reformatory and Industrial Schools Systems.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 to 102, inclusive, together.
As part of the consideration which is being given to the report it is necessary to obtain the views of interested bodies in relation to it. These views have been called for, and, when received, they will be examined and a decision taken in relation to the recommendations in the report.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary read the report?
Not in full detail.
I would respectfully suggest that he should spend his Christmas holidays reading the report because it is the most enlightening report I have seen published. Why were not copies of this report circulated to Deputies? Would the Parliamentary Secretary look at the suggestion that crash courses should be provided for managers of industrial schools and reformatories and, as there are no such courses in Ireland, that they should be undertaken in Britain immediately as an interim measure? Would the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House if this aspect of the report will be implemented?
With due deference I do not think any of the other matters related to any question arising out of the reply I have given. I can inform the Deputy that an intensive course in child care will be held next July for the senior members of the staffs of the reformatories and industrial schools.
I apologise for being absent from the House for the Parliamentary Secretary's reply. As I understand he replied to all the questions together, may I ask him did he reply to each question or just give a general reply?
I gave a general reply. I regret the Deputy's absence as much as he does.
He skated around' the edge of it.