Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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207. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied that children admitted to approved centres, under the meaning of the Mental Health Act 2001, including adult mental health units into which children have been admitted, are having their rights under Article 42 of the Constitution of Ireland upheld; the actions she has taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42503/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides a range of supports for pupils with special educational needs arising from mental health difficulties such as Emotional Behavioural Disorder (EBD) or Severe Emotional Behavioural Disorder (SEBD). Where children with mental health diffculties attending school have consequential care or learning support needs, additional Resource Teaching and/ or care support is provided to schools to support their needs in school.

For pupils who require more specialised supports, special school and special class placements are also available.

Schools may seek advice from the National Educational Psychological Service, their Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Service, on how children with such needs can best be supported in schools.

Further support for students with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties is supplied by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) which fall within the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE). CAMHS units works to promote mental health and well-being and to ameliorate mental health issues in children and young people. My Department makes provision for education to be provided in CAMHS facilities in order to support pupils who are admitted to such units.

Education provision is also made, through the Education and Training Boards, for adult mental health units.

My Department also provides for compensatory education provision to be made through the Home Tuition scheme for pupils who have missed time from school due to illness. This may include, for example, pupils who miss time in school while attending CAMHS or other mental health facilities.

The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, TUSLA, can provide assistance to parents or guardians in relation to identification of educational placements for children who are out of school or without a school placement.

In addition, the National Council for Special Education Special Education Needs Organisers can provide information to parents or guardians in relation to the educational services which are available for children with special educational needs.