asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the death in tragic circumstances of a young girl and her child in County Longford, he will ensure that adequate counselling and welfare services are made available to second level schools to ensure that such events are not repeated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Longford Tragic Deaths.
15.
I would first like to express the deepest sympathy of myself and my colleagues in Government with Ann Lovett's family in regard to this tragic affair.
Officials of my Department and of the Department of Education have already initiated discussions on the extent to which existing counselling and social services for pupils of second-level schools might be improved in order to reduce the risks of this type of tragedy occurring again.
I should like to associate myself with the initial remarks of the Minister. Can he indicate to us if it is intended to make available information on ante-natal services to second level schools and the way he proposes that that be done?
All of these considerations are currently being studied by the Minister for Education and myself and between officials of the Department of Health and of the Department of Education. As soon as possible the Minister for Education and myself will make a statement on the matter.
Would the Minister take it upon himself to condemn the Minister of State for her insensitive, publicity seeking condemnation——
That is a separate question. The Deputy is not allowed to ask that.
——of a family, a school and a town, purely in a glory seeking capacity?
Deputies
Hear, hear.
She is not publicity seeking.
Glory seeking.
The Deputy is being disorderly.
I know that Question Time has ended, but I think it was disgraceful.
I must ask Deputy Wilson to resume his seat.
If, as has been rumoured, it was in order to blind the people to the increase in the unemployed of the State, then it was a double disgrace.
I must ask the Deputy to resume his seat. The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.