Roger T. Garland
Question:660 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the very serious situation at St. Joseph's school for deaf boys in Cabra, Dublin 7, where her Department is allowing the school's equipment to deteriorate and become obsolete; her views on whether, if the equipment was replaced on a yearly basis, it would actually save money; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that (a) six classes in the school now have obsolete equipment and as a consequence these youngsters are now left without the assistance of hearing aid equipment, (b) the school has sent professional reports on this equipment to her Department at the end of each school year since 1987 and (c) at no stage have Department officials offered to discuss the matter with the school nor has an inspector come to check the facts as outlined in these reports; when these matters are going to be rectified before irreparable damage is done to the educational prospects of these young boys; the reason no discussions have taken place and no inspectors have called over this period of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
