Michael P. Kitt
Question:76 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Education when, in view of her Department's policy on integration, suitable equipment and school books will be made available for the visually impaired in primary schools.
Written Answers. - Visually Impaired Children.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:148 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education the proposals or policy, if any, she has for visually impaired children in primary schools throughout the country; the grants that are made available to primary schools for special equipment to facilitate teaching of visually impaired children; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 148 together.
It is my Department's policy to provide suitable equipment, books and tuition for visually impaired children attending ordinary primary and post-primary schools on the basis of individual need, as identified by the Visiting Teacher Service. Each visually impaired child who needs a brailler is supplied with one, on the advice of the visiting teacher, where learning through the medium of braille is considered necessary. In addition, the cost of providing books in braille is paid for by my Department. The textbooks are brailled at Arbour Hill Prison, Dublin, by arrangement between my Department and the Department of Justice. My Department also funds the cost of typewriting lessons and, in some cases, braille lessons for visually impaired children in ordinary schools where this is recommended by the Visiting Teacher Service and the Special Education Inspectorate.
The Visiting Teacher Service has itself been restructured in order to be able to respond more effectively to the needs of pupils with disabilities, particularly those in isolated areas. The new arrangement will enable such pupils to receive the support of a local visiting teacher on a more frequent basis, while retaining access to the specialist teacher of the visually impaired, as required.
The Special Education Review Committee report, which has just been published, examined the full range of supports required by pupils with disabilities, including those with visual impairment, and I am considering the committee's recommendations at present. Also, in keeping with the policy of encouraging the maximum amount of discussion and debate in relation to educational issues, a seminar dedicated to special education and the committee's report is being organised for 6 December 1993. Among the objectives of this seminar is to allow those involved in special education, including the visually impaired, to convey their views on the nature of support services required for the future.