Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter. It is unusual to refer to the case of a specific individual on the Adjournment. However, such is the frustration of the family of the child in question and the complete failure on the part of the Department of Education and Science to meet his needs that I am compelled to raise it in this manner. Karl Frawley's ninth birthday is today. A constituent of mine from Springfield in Tallaght, he has had no recourse to any educational institution for the past year.

When Karl was six years old, he was diagnosed with autism. Last year, he was diagnosed as a sufferer of Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, which is an acute and rare form of epilepsy. Sufferers of this condition can experience up to 100 seizures per day and it takes a considerable amount of time before a proper balance of medication can be found to meet their needs. As a result of his condition, this 9 year old spent in excess of four months in hospital from June to December of last year. Up to that point, he had been attending an autism unit. Before his diagnosis with autism, he had attended his local national school in Springfield, Tallaght.

The child's family is concerned that Karl has not attended school for the past year and has not received a placement with an educational institution which could meet his particular needs. While home tuition has been provided by the Department of Education and Science for two and a half months this year, Karl's needs can only be met by his placement in a school which can provide educational opportunities for autistic children. Karl needs a school where his educational and medical needs can be properly addressed. To date, despite the best efforts of his family, the three schools in Dublin which could cater for his needs have been unable to provide a place for him. Unless such a place is found, his situation will deteriorate.

This case is not unique. I am well aware that there are other children in a position similar to that of Karl Frawley. However, it is the legal responsibility of the Department of Education and Science to find an appropriate school place for this child, an obligation which it has completely failed to honour in the past year. This case is particularly urgent given that an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 is before the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science in regard to the recent refusal of a school in Dublin to accept Karl. The Secretary General has three weeks to determine this appeal on behalf of Karl's parents. In the event that this appeal is not upheld, will the Department of Education and Science indicate the placement it will provide for this nine year old child and when will it be available? The three schools in Dublin which can meet Karl's needs cannot take him and I understand he is not allowed to apply for a place in any school outside Dublin. He and his family are caught in a bind.

Karl's parents have requested that I ask the Minister for Education and Science directly what they should do. Should they sit back and wait for another year, with limited home tuition, no speech therapy and no occupational therapy, or should they rightly demand a place for their child within the State education system? This child cannot reach his full potential by being stuck at home, even with the provision of respite care. His placement within a classroom environment with other children would greatly help Karl's development. The most maddening aspect of this case is the complete failure of anyone within the Department of Education and Science to take responsibility and to chart a plan for this child. What will happen in September? Will Karl and his family have to wait another year, effectively exiled from the educational system? I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, to explain what the provision for this child will be from 1 September next.

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