Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Correspondence.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

428 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if an official of his Department (details supplied) received correspondence from a representative (details supplied) of parents of children suffering from severe and profound mental handicap which she posted on 8 October 1997; if his Department will acknowledge receipt of the correspondence and reply to the correspondence in this regard; the necessary steps, if any, he will take to ensure that all correspondence in future is responded to in accordance with the Ombudsman's Guide to Standards of Best Practice for Public Servants, that is, promptly and with undue delay. [20598/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The correspondence to which the Deputy refers was received in my Department on 13 October 1997. I understand that the matters raised in the correspondence had earlier been the subject of a discussion between the parents' representative and the official concerned. I further understand that arising from that discussion, the official in question wrote to the parents' representative on 9 October 1997 addressing the issues raised.

Due to the prompt follow-up on this matter by the official concerned, the letters crossed in the post, and since the points raised by the parents' representative in her letter of 8 October 1997 had already been dealt with in writing, it was considered that no further response was required. I have asked my officials to formally acknowledge receipt of the letter to which the Deputy refers. I would also like to assure the Deputy that my Department makes every effort to respond to correspondence in as prompt a manner as possible.