Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

This Adjournment matter concerns a simple breakdown in the operation of the Department of Education and Skill's bureaucracy. It concerns a 16-year-old boy who is unable to attend school as he suffers from severe autism and has a profound learning disability. He is non-verbal and has an extremely impaired coping ability. He also has severe dietary problems and is acutely intolerant of all pharmaceutical medicines.

The boy has had a home tuition grant to date. He has been in the system and has been receiving support from the Department of Education and Skills under the criteria which he meets for children who cannot attend school. The parents - who are used to dealing with the bureaucracy involved because of their son's age - completed all the paperwork on 20 August this year. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, as we approach the Christmas break, his application is still under consideration.

I know this matter does not come under the aegis of the Minister, Deputy Gormley's, Department but he has an explanation from the Department of Education and Skills. This family has been driven to distraction trying to get clarification on this matter because they have had to hire a fully qualified teacher to work with the student on a one-to-one basis in his home. They have been denied access to the money, which is unbelievable. This is not a new case because the person concerned is in the system, so it beggars belief. It is out of sheer desperation and a cri de coeur from the mother in question that this has been brought to my attention. It seems tragic to me that I have to raise the matter in the House. I hope the Minister will have good news in his reply.

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