Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Almost three years ago, on 7 November 2006, a primary school student in my local area received an injury when he got a whack of a hurley into the face. He lost four teeth but, as expected, he got good attention. He was lucky because the school dentist was in the neighbouring town of Portumna at the time. The doctor in question took exceptionally good care of him. On five occasions during November, the child's case was reviewed by the doctor, who must be commended on the care she offered. 9 o'clock

The parents were told by the school authority that any bills accruing as a result of the accident would be paid by the insurance company. Given the complexity of the case, the child was referred to a private orthodontist for root canal treatment and his four teeth were eventually re-implanted. Two of them settled and two had to be extracted later. Subsequently, on 8 December, the HSE communicated by letter stating the insurance would cover the costs of the orthodontist, which amounted to €1,800. The parents were asked to pay this on the day on which they visited the orthodontist. The parent in attendance had only €1,000 euro to hand and this was paid over.

The teenager has suffered very severe pain over the past three years and has had to endure cosmetic difficulties and the consequences of his four teeth turning black. This has social consequences.

The accident happened on a school premises during school hours under supervision, as accidents do happen on occasion. In this case, the insurance company has refused to compensate the parents in respect of the costs involved. At all times they were assured, through the HSE and the school authority, that it would compensate them. On the basis of my representations to the Minister and the HSE, I have been told this is not the case.

Consider what occurs if an accident happens in school during school hours, be it to a pupil or member of staff or the public, and the insurance company does not compensate. Will the Minister state whether all schools are insured if an accident as or more serious than the one I have described occurs? We were told by the insurance company that unless the school building had fallen on the child in question, it would not have paid up. If so, very many children are in danger. Health and safety will become a much greater issue in national schools if insurance companies renege on the policies they are selling to school authorities, including boards of management.

The parents to whom I refer are very dedicated. They could follow the board of management, whose members are serving voluntarily. The fact that they are serving voluntarily exonerates them from any charges as a result of accidents on school premises. Will the Minister, through the Minister for Education and Science, refund the parents in question on a once-off basis such that people will not be misled again?

See this speech in context