asked the Minister for Education the frequency of the substitute special speech training which is at present being given to a child (details supplied) in Dublin and if he has satisfied himself with the present situation in regard to substituting special speech training teachers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Speech Training.
18.
The task of the visiting teachers of the hearing-impaired is to give guidance to parents on the handling of their hearing-impaired children in the development of speech and language. The frequency of visits to each family can vary from child to child and from time to time depending on the particular needs.
As the visiting teachers are highly specialised personnel they cannot be replaced by substitutes in the same way as ordinary teachers. In practice, teachers who are absent due to illness or other causes are substituted from the common pool of visiting teachers by a reallocation of duties. This arrangement has worked.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, due to unforeseen circumstances the teacher has been absent for an exceptionally long period. Until she resumes duty, arrangements have been made for fortnightly visits to the family by two visiting teachers—one of them being the senior teacher in charge of the whole service.
Question No. 19 is to be taken as written.