Vol. 561 No. 4
287 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the school to which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare should send their child; if he will provide a solution to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4500/03]
Children with visual impairment may be catered for in special schools, in special dedicated classes attached to ordinary schools or in integrated settings. Special schools and special classes catering for children with visual impairment operate at a special reduced pupil teacher ratio of 8:1 and are supported by the special needs assistant service. Such children are also entitled to avail of the special school transport service which includes an escort service.
My Department's policy is, where possible, to integrate children with special needs into local mainstream schools where they are supported by the resource teacher service and-or the special needs assistant service. Children with visual impairment are also supported by the visiting teacher service, which includes specialists in visual impairment. These children are also entitled to funding support for the purchase of specialised equipment necessary to assist them in their education.
My Department is currently considering proposals for the establishment of a national centre for the visually impaired. A project team appointed by my Department to develop a master plan for such a development presented its interim report to my Department in December 2002. This plan is currently being examined in my Department.
My Department's special education section will liaise directly with the parents of the child referred to by the Deputy so that an appropriate placement may be arranged.
