Barnardos had already been involved in the process of record release in a limited number of situations where the nature of the record required a particularly sensitive and supportive manner of release. In order to provide a comprehensive and compassionate service and following a request from Barnardos,
my Department agreed to support the provision of an information mediation service, "Origins", for former residents of Industrial or Reformatory Schools. My Department took account of the established competence and experience of Barnardos in the release of similar forms of information to persons in similar
circumstances. The operation of Origins is governed by the terms of a Service Agreement which has been signed by both parties.

Barnardos, in their capacity as an agent of my Department, has been provided with an electronic copy of the archive of material held in relation to the operation of the former Industrial & Reformatory schools. This archive comprises General Files, Medical Files, Individual Pupil|Family Files, Journals|Registers & Kardex Cards and is made up of circa 500,000 individual records.

The latest available figures show that, at the end of August 2003, my Department has received just over 5000 individual requests from former residents of Industrial and Reformatory Schools. Due to the volume of requests received, there is, unfortunately, a considerable delay in processing these requests. Origins is a relatively new service and, consequently, they don't have to deal with the same level of requests. Access to records will, therefore, undoubtedly be quicker by electing to go the Origins|Barnardos route. This coupled with the fact that former residents meet face to face with fully trained counsellors, means that information can be released in a more appropriate environment. Origins also has the added attraction of being able
to provide counselling, tracing and mediation services.

While I would actively encourage former residents to avail of this worthwhile service, I would also like to re-iterate that it is only an alternative to the Freedom of Information route and entirely optional for former residents as to which route they wish to pursue. All former residents may excercise their statutory rights and apply to my Department for access to their records under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 if they so wish.

Since 1998 my Department has provided funding to VECs to assist towards the childcare expenses of participants in VTOS, Youthreach and Senior Traveller Centre programmes. The cost of providing these supports has been rising steadily since 1998 and in the current year, the sum of the estimate by VECs of
their needs exceeds the amount of money available.

I appreciate that the shortage of funds for childcare supports has given rise to difficulties for a number of VECs and may impact on the options available to adult learners in relation to participation in second- chance education programmes. At present, I am examining the possibility of providing some
special assistance to VECs that are particularly badly affected.

Where a child must attend a primary school which is not the nearest primary school to where the child resides, a transport grant may be paid under the terms of the School Transport Scheme if my Department is satisfied that there are valid reasons for the child's attendance at that school and the child resides at least two miles from the school concerned.The School Tansport Section of my Department would be pleased to investigate a particular case should the Deputy wish to provide the relevant details.

Prior to, and during the drafting of the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill, there have been ongoing consultations with the Department of Health and Children regarding the proposed legislative provisions. These consultations will continue during the Bill's passage through the Houses.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the State's constitutional obligation to provide for free primary education applies to children and ceases at the age of 18. The Bill's aim is to implement this constitutional obligation by guaranteeing the rights of children with disabilities to education, enforceable
through a statutory framework. This framework will provide for a range of services which must be provided, including assessments, individual education plans and support services and provides for a process of mediation and appeals where needs are not met. It is for this reason that the Bill focuses primarily
on children with special educational needs.

The Bill recognises the fact that there are issues relevant to the education of a person as an adult which must be addressed when the person is still a child and places obligations on the new National Council for Special Education in respect of this. In addition, the Disabilities Bill which is to be published
by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, will provided for a wide range of services for people with disabilities, including education services.