Vol. 496 No. 5
146 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the supports, if any, being given to a hearing impaired person (detail supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23293/98]
I am aware of the pupil referred to by the Deputy.
I understand that the school which this pupil attends has recently received a limited service from a resource teacher on a shared basis and that the visiting teacher for children with hearing impairment attends the school for a number of hours each month. My Department has provided a radio-aid for the use of this particular pupil in the classroom and an application for computer equipment is currently under consideration.
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently announced a major initiative in respect of education services for children with special needs. The measures involved are aimed at ensuring that all children with a special educational need, irrespective of their location or disability, will receive the support they require to participate fully in the education system.
In this context, I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate the particular educational needs of the child referred to by the Deputy.
