Vol. 453 No. 3
122 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education if she has satisfied herself with the available educational provisions for deaf children in this country; and the plans, if any, she has to develop further educational provisions for deaf children. [9197/95]
Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have attached particular priority to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with hearing impairment, are adequately catered for. In the case of children with hearing impairment, I have implemented a range of measures to improve educational services. The measures in question include: the introduction of a very substantial increase in the special capitation rates payable to pupils attending special schools and classes; the introduction of a one unit improvement in the pupil teacher ratio for special schools and classes from September next; the upgrading of specialist equipment required in special schools and classes; the introduction of a scheme for the provision of escorts and safety harnesses on certain school transport services to assist pupils with special needs in this area.
I am satisfied that the measures I outlined will contribute to a significant improvement in the level of service available to the children in question. I will also be keeping the question of further measures in this area under ongoing review in the context of the recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee.
