Vol. 459 No. 7
8 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education the progress, if any, made in relation to the principles and recommendations set out in the report of the Special Education Review Committee; her understanding and view of the required needs of the emotionally disturbed; the structures and timescale currently in place to offer appropriate educational facilities to the emotionally disturbed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18678/95]
As I indicated in previous replies, I accept the general principles and recommendations set out in the Report of the Special Education Review Committee. The report contains some 230 recommendations.
Very substantial progress has been made since the publication of the report in October 1993. An additional ten psychologists have been appointed. The pupil-teacher ratio has improved and the special capitation rates paid in respect of all pupils attending special schools and classes were more than doubled in 1994. For children attending special schools for the severely emotionally disturbed, the rate increased from £132 to £341. A total of 150 child care assistants were newly appointed to special schools. Twenty-seven teacher-counsellors, 241 additional remedial teachers and 23 additional resource teachers have been appointed to ordinary national schools to assist them in dealing with pupils with special needs.
My understanding and view of the required needs of pupils with emotional and-or behavioural disorders are broadly in line with those expressed in the Report of the Special Education Review Committee.
There are now 13 special schools for emotionally disturbed children, 11 in Dublin and one each in Kilkenny and Galway. Last September I sanctioned a new special class in County Clare for pupils who are emotionally disturbed.
In keeping with the recommendations in the committee's report, the "Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on Services for Young People with Special Educational Needs" has been established. The committee will consider the future arrangements required for the identification and assessment of pupils with emotional and-or behavioural disorders and the educational, psychological and psychiatric supports required by these pupils.
I thank the Minister for her lengthy reply. Will she indicate the total number of recommendations in the report of the Special Education Review Committee, the number implemented and the timescale applying to the implementation of the outstanding recommendations? Did the Minister have to cut back on provisions to meet the identified needs of services in that area?
There are 230 recommendations in the report and they have been accepted by the Department. I have a resumé and what has happened in respect of them. The committee recommended a change in the description of emotionally disturbed pupils to pupils with emotional and-or behavioural disorders. It recommended the introduction of a standard system for classifying disorders and that has been taken on board by an interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on services for young people with special needs which will agree arrangements regarding the identification and assessment of the pupils. That committee is monitoring progress of the report.
The Minister did not indicate the number of recommendations that have yet to be implemented.
There are 230 recommendations in the report. In my reply I gave detailed information about pupils with emotional difficulties. If the Deputy wishes I can give him more general information on this area. He specifically referred to emotionally disturbed children. The report recommended a pupil teacher ratio of 6:1, that has not yet been met, but I have been able to reduce the pupil teacher ratio to 8:1. The report made recommendations regarding capitation for pupils. For example, a number of students in the primary school system were penalised in terms of the award of capitation grants as they did not move on to second level. The capitation grant for such children has been increased from £132 to £341.
The pupil-teacher ratio has been improved. Additional psychologists have been appointed so that children can be assessed early. There is a co-ordinating committee and this is an area in which I have a particular interest. I would be surprised if the Deputy was suggesting I had ignored some area. There has been much investment since I assumed office such as the appointment of 29 resource teachers, 241 remedial teachers, 27 teacher counsellors and 150 child care assistants. The children in the category about which the Deputy asked are among those who are benefiting. In regard to the pupil-teacher ratio, we have gone some way to meeting the recommendation. The provision of 150 child care assistants is particularly important.
I established an interdepartmental committee to ensure the implementation of the recommendations is monitored. Full implementation of the review committee's recommendations was costed at approximately £56 million. When we examine the 230 recommendations it will be possible to produce a breakdown for the Deputy. I am satisfied that those involved in this area of education have welcomed my acceptance of the report and have in their schools and communities witnessed my commitment in a practical and positive way.
Will the Minister communicate with me about the issue?
Yes, I will be delighted to convey the information to the Deputy.
We have exceeded our time but there are two Deputies offering. If they will be brief they can be accommodated.
Recently I received correspondence from the Irish Contact Society — parents of children with special needs — to the effect that they are extremely frustrated and angry at the lack of progress. In fact, they said — this is a quotation from the correspondence —"the Government and the Department of Education treat special education as a joke".
That is nonsense.
The Tánaiste need not be so arrogant; he too received a copy of the correspondence.
We should be moving on to the next business.
Has the Minister any plans to provide escorts on school buses for children with special needs? The Minister can raise her eyelids as much as she wishes. Blind children have to travel to Cabra, for example. It has always been the practice that social workers accompany them on the return journey, particularly to rural locations but that is no longer the case. I received correspondence on this issue as I am sure has the Minister.
I do not have details on escort services but recently there was an announcement regarding that matter from my Department. We are talking about the escorting of deaf children who travel long distances to school. I am sorry the Deputy would see fit to repeat an accusation in the House that will not stand up to any logic or scrutiny. I hope when I make the detailed information available to Deputy Callely on how the Department has met its responsibilities that he will share it with Deputy Martin.
I will be pleased to do that.
Deputy Martin can then tell me if such a comment——
This letter from the parents of the children involved was written to me and the Minister received a copy.
Let us hear the Minister, please. We have substantially exceeded our time.
If we offer that information to the Deputies on the other side of the House——
I will be delighted to educate my colleague.
——they will share with me the satisfaction that we are meeting the recommendations of the special review committee generously and quickly.
Will the Minister accept that one of the great difficulties experienced by parents of children who are emotionally disturbed is the lack of facilities to have those children assessed? Due to a lack of a proper school psychological service there are long delays, in some cases of up to three years, in having children assessed. This is a source of frustration to the parents. What will the Minister do about it?
Having heard that concern expressed on a previous occasion it would be appropriate to remind Members that we have employed extra psychologists for the psychological service in the Department. Formal identification of children with needs usually involves assessment not only by a psychologist but by a psychiatrist, about which Deputy Callely asked. We have responded to waiting lists by providing extra psychologists. With the Department of Health we offer a greater range of assessment appointments. There are cost concerns but the additional ten psychologists will deal with the waiting lists.
That concludes questions for today.
