Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018
38. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason guidance in special schools is not included in the career guidance review announced in January 2018 despite assurances from representatives of the Department of Education and Skills that it would be included. [22389/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question concerns career guidance in special schools. I wish to ask why it is not included in the review announced in January 2018, despite assurances from representatives of the Department of Education and Skills that it would be included.
The purpose of the review of career guidance is to ensure that high-quality, relevant career guidance information is provided to students from post–primary level up to further and higher education. The review will examine the quality of information available to students and adults concerning career guidance, the sources of this information and how the system is organised to support students and adults in this area.
The review is being carried out by independent consultants and will be guided and informed by a steering group. As an integral part of the consultants' proposed methodological approach to the review, my Department has invited submissions from all interested stakeholders to assist in shaping the review by highlighting key issues to be considered in the course of carrying it out.
Drawing on the results of the consultation and further consideration by the steering group, the question of the specific role and objectives of career guidance in supporting students in special schools will be assessed further. It is therefore not the case that guidance in special schools is excluded from review. Rather, as is the case with several aspects of the review, further consideration of the detailed design and precise content of the review is required in light of the submissions received, to ensure that the review meets the objectives set for it. My Department will therefore keep the Deputy updated in respect of the issue raised in her question.
The Deputy may wish to note that the closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday, 25 May 2018.
The Minister says that special schools were not excluded but there was a promise that they would be included in the terms of reference and that was certainly not the case. As it currently stands, there is no provision for guidance in special schools that teach the primary school curriculum. However, this completely ignores the fact that students up to the age of 18 attend these schools. It was the National Disability Authority that advised that these schools should be included in the terms of reference of the review and as far as I understand, representatives of the Department of Education and Skills provided assurances that they would be. This has not happened. As the submissions are closing this Friday, I ask the Minister to extend that time and clarify why special schools were given an assurance that they would be included and then were not.
To return to the point about students up to the age of 18, it really is unacceptable that there is no career guidance module or system for students just because they are attending a special school. If there is a review of that system it is the perfect opportunity to include special schools and to be inclusive about these things. I do not think we should let that opportunity pass.
There was certainly no intention to exclude any school in any way. I can give the Deputy the assurance that the needs of special schools will be included in this review. I do not know from where the idea that they were excluded arose but if there is a particular group that needs to make a submission, and it believes it will not be able to make it by 25 May, I will make sure that the submission is accommodated.
I thank the Minister. I welcome that statement and will come back to his officials in that regard. I wish to stress the point again that this is a chance for us to be inclusive, particularly in the aftermath of Ireland ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. All Members know there is a high level of unemployment among people with a disability. Access to good education and a good career guidance system will be one way of combatting that problem in the future, though certainly not the only way, as there are lots of barriers. This is an opportunity for us to look at that. I certainly will get back to those groups and ensure that submissions are made on this issue.
