Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - Primary School Placement.

Mr. Haughey

A couple from Marino in Dublin 3 called to see me to discuss the position regarding their son, aged 12, who has behavioural and emotional problems. When they called to see me in July 1992 they were very anxious to obtain a place for their son in a local primary school. They informed me that he had not attended a normal school since November 1991. They also informed me that he had attended the Mater Hospital Child Guidance Clinic.

I wrote to the Minister for Education in July 1992 and my representations were acknowledged in the same month. I was later informed that the child had to be assessed and various medical reports were needed. I was also informed that the child in question was attending the adolescent unit attached to St. Vincent's psychiatric hospital in Fairview. The family renewed their representations to me in February 1993. They believed that their son needed residential care in a structured and disciplined environment. Several options were under discussion at that time. I again wrote to the Minister for Education in February 1993. St. Augustine's in Blackrock and St. Peter's in Orwell Road were suggested as options. At this stage the family was under the impression that the Department of Education was happy that their child was receiving two and a half hours education a week in St. Vincent's Hospital in Fairview.

By April of this year it seems that all the following institutions were unsuitable for one reason or another — St. Peter's in Orwell Road, St. Declan's and St. Oliver Plunkett School in Monkstown. The head of the special education training section in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, has recommended, through the Eastern Health Board, the following package for this child: (1) residential care in Don Boscos in Clontarf; (2) a continued input by St. Joseph's Adolescent Unit in Fairview and (3) placement in a special class in a secondary school, preferably Pobalscoil Rosmini in Drumcondra. The first two parts of this package seem to be in order but I understand that there is a problem in regard to Pobalscoil Rosmini. The special class in Pobalscoil Rosmini which begins next September is full — 15 pupils have been enrolled in this class. The school could take on this child if another teacher for the special class was made available to the school. Hopefully the Department of Education will provide the extra resources required.

I have been pursuing this matter since July 1992. I have always found the officials in the Department of Education extremely helpful and courteous. This child has not attended school since November 1991. The parents are very anxious about their child and I appeal to the Minister to do all he can at this time to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible. This would be greatly appreciated.

Mr. N. Treacy

I am pleased on behalf of my Government colleague, the Minister for Education, Deputy Niamh Bhreathnach, to respond to this matter.

The Minister is aware of the case referred to by the Deputy and the difficulties which have been encountered to date in securing suitable educational placement for this boy.

The child is almost 13 years old. He first attended Our Lady of Victories national school in Ballymun. It became obvious at that time that he could not cope in those surroundings. He was referred to the Eastern Health Board for psychological assessment and for recommendation on a more suitable educational placement for him.

On completion of that assessment by the Eastern Health Board psychologist, it was felt that he was inappropriately placed in Our Lady of Victories national school. It was considered that Casa Caterina Special School for Emotionally Disturbed Children in Cabra would be a more appropriate placement for him and he was enrolled there in 1988. This placement did not prove successful because of difficult behaviour on the part of the boy and he did not resume attendance at the school in September 1989.

At this stage it was decided that further assessment was required. He was enrolled in Warrenstown House Special School from September 1989 for further assessment and remained there until June 1990.

He subsequently attended a special class in the Virgin Mary boys' national school where he remained until November 1991. Because of ongoing behaviour difficulties it was felt that further assessment was required. The Eastern Health Board applied to St. Michael's Assessment Unit in the Finglas Children's Centre for assessment in order to determine if long term placement would be helpful. As a result of this assessment application was made to St. Joseph's Special School, Clonmel. However, the authorities in Clonmel felt that he needed a much smaller therapeutic unit.

In July 1992, he was admitted to St. Joseph's Adolescent Unit, Fairview. This unit caters for adolescents between the ages of 12-19 years. This provides psychiatric, psychological and nursing care for the adolescents attending this unit and an educational input is provided by a teacher sanctioned by the Department of Education. However, this arrangement can only be viewed as temporary pending identification of a suitable long term placement.

The provision of a suitable residential placement is a matter for the relevant health authorities. The Department of Education will, of course, provide such educational services as are required as part of this arrangement. The fact that this boy is not in full time education is a cause for serious concern. The Department of Education inspectorate is currently working closely with the health authorities with a view to securing an appropriate educational placement for him at the earliest possible date. The Deputy will be informed of the outcome of this case as soon as possible.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 18 May 1993.