Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 766: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the parents of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo have been given no option by her but to keep the person at home, a practice that is no good for the person or the parents; the reason her Department has recommended that this person attend a school even though the patrons of the school do not advise this and have informed her of same; when a suitable placement will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9485/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the circumstances of the person to whom the Deputy refers and as the Deputy is aware the matters referred to are the subject of ongoing High Court proceedings against my Department as well as the Department of Health and Children and the Health Services Executive. In those circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to comment in any detail on the particulars of the situation.

However I wish to advise the Deputy that his assertion that my officials have recommended a school placement for the person referred to which the patron of that school does not support is incorrect. The Patron of the school has informed my Department that he considers the school in question to be the provider of excellent education which is totally appropriate to the particular student needs.

The Patron also advised my Department that he recognises that the physical alterations to the school are intended to provide safe and appropriate facilities to accommodate this students' admission, that the differentiated curriculum available in that school is particularly appropriate having regard to this student's needs and that the introduction of additional staffing resources which have been agreed with the Board of Management support the appropriate educational placement on offer.

For that reason my officials and I remain of the view that the school which has been identified is an appropriate educational placement for the person concerned.