Vol. 558 No. 6
112 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the report addressing the crisis situation in the developmental education centre, St. Vincent's Centre, Navan Road, Dublin 7; and if a person (details supplied) will be retained to facilitate their speedy implementation as requested by the parents of the children concerned. [25343/02]
The report to which the Deputy refers provides a valuable basis for resolution of the current difficulties at the St. Vincent's Centre.
My Department is currently working with the Department of Health and Children on arrangements to give early effect to the recommendations in the report. Priority attention is being given to the establishment of multidisciplinary teams to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the needs of each child with a view to the development of individualised support programmes. It is intended that the parents of the children will be fully involved in this process. These individualised child-centred programmes will form the basis for future support service inputs.
The senior officers of my Department and the Department of Health and Children, who have already been nominated to assist local management in resolving the current difficulties, will play an active role in advancing these arrangements. I envisage that the person to whom the Deputy refers would continue to be available, if required, to support the implementation process.
