Máirín Quill
Question:43 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to include all primary schools in the visiting teacher service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5118/95]
Written Answers. - Visiting Teacher Service.
I have no plans to extend the general visiting teacher service to all primary schools. Given the special focus of the service, there would be no justification for extending it to all schools.
The role of the general visiting teacher service is to assist ordinary school staff in meeting the special educational needs of children with certain types of disabilities. At present, this service extends to the needs of children attending ordinary classes who suffer from visual or hearing impairment and Down's Syndrome children. The work of the visiting teacher can involve instruction to individuals or groups of pupils, together with an advisory and support service for both teachers and parents.
Where the need for support from a visiting teacher is identified, my Department's inspectorate, who manage the service, make the necessary arrangements.
I should also point out that in recent years my Department has introduced a new innovation whereby a special resource teacher can be attached to a school in a local area to meet the needs of groups of children with disabilities attending ordinary schools in that area.
To date, a total of 26 resource teachers have been put in place and I have recently announced my intention to appoint an additional ten resource teachers with effect from September next.
While the role of the resource teacher is similar to that of the visiting teacher, the resource teacher model can be the more appropriate response in situations where a significant number of pupils with special needs are identified in a local area.
I am satisfied that this dual approach, coupled with the additional resource teacher appointments to which I have referred, will have a significant impact on meeting the needs of children with disabilities who are attending ordinary primary schools.
I should also mention that there is a separate visiting teacher service which is dedicated to the needs of traveller children attending ordinary primary schools. A total of 12 visiting teachers are currently involved in this service and I propose to appoint a further five teachers to this service with effect from September next.