Cecilia Keaveney
Question:386 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students with a hearing impairment in primary schools in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24532/98]
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:387 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary students with a visual impairment in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24533/98]
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:388 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of secondary students with a visual impairment in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24534/98]
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:389 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of secondary students with a hearing impairment in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24535/98]
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:390 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the facilities and resources available to visually impaired students in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24536/98]
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:391 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the facilities and resources available to hearing impaired students in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24537/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 386, 387, 388, 389, 390 and 391 together.
My Department does not have details of the number of children with hearing or visual impairment in primary and second level schools in County Donegal.
Children with hearing or visual impairment have access to a range of special education services. In some cases, the severity of the impairment may be such that placement in a special dedicated school or a special class is the most appropriate response. In other cases, the child may be capable of functioning successfully in an integrated setting with an element of special support. Such support may take the form of the resource teacher service or the visiting teacher service or additional part-time teaching hours. My Department also funds special equipment for children with hearing or visual impairment in first and second-level schools.
I recently announced a major new development in the provision of special education services. A key element of this initiative is the introduction of a formalised system of special support for children attending school on an integrated basis who have been assessed as having a special need. Under this initiative, all such children whether in groups or in isolated settings, will have an entitlement to special support. The nature of the support will be determined by the specific needs of the child.
Any application for support for hearing or visually impaired children in the area referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the context of this initiative.