MAURA JOYCE,
Madam, - I have just returned from visiting my 20-year-old son who suffers from autism. He now lives in residential care provided by the Brothers of Charity at the Pope John Paul Centre IN Galway.
Earlier today, the Department of Education informed the centre that it was not proceeding with the appointment of a teacher and a teacher's assistant for Brian, despite this same Department's written assurance on March 21st last that it would continue to fund "educational provision in the adult support services facility up to the level of education support currently enjoyed by this pupil" from September 2002.
For just once in his life, Brian's autism is an advantage. It protected him today from the stark reality that he and thousands like him with disabilities cannot be accommodated in all their diversity by our Constitution. We, his family, must now face to the fact that he will have to rely on the Government's charity for whatever is available.
In July 2001 the Government used every opportunity to reassure all of us that it had appealed the Sinnott case because it was worried about the separation of powers between the legislature and the judiciary. Our Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Education were at pains to assure us that the Sinnott appeal was just a technical exercise designed to clarify Mr Justice Barr's ruling in the High Court. Brian, my husband and I know only too well it was not.
In June 1998 we were forced to go to the High Court to establish his right to an education. We, like so many other parents, had to engage in a lengthy legal struggle to secure this basic right for him. Since July he is consigned to a small residential unit originally designed for children. Sadly, he is not alone. In all, there are 22 young adults whose basic right to an appropriate educational programme is not and has never been met by our State. The Brothers of Charity have provided a purpose-built centre for day-care programmes. However, no State finance has been allocated to furnish, equip or staff it and this fine building lies empty.
The horrific reality for us is that our son's behaviour has been deteriorating at an alarming rate since his educational day programme ceased. It is heartbreaking to see some of our most vulnerable citizens living in unbearable conditions without even basic services. As matters stand, Brian is doomed to spend most of every day sitting in his residential unit. This will eventually necessitate a further increase in his medication - the only therapy that the State is currently willing to make available to him. - Yours etc.,
MAURA JOYCE, Newcastle, Galway.