Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Róisín Shortall
Question:
93
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
his Department's policy in relation to support services for deaf students; the funding, if any, he is providing for the training of sign language interpreters to assist deaf students to fully participate in education and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20179/99]
Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin): All students are entitled to a response to their educational needs to ensure that they have available to them a level and quality of education which meets those needs. Students suffering disabilities are entitled to responses to their particular needs and my Departments engaged in putting such responses in place on an ongoing basis.
At the primary and second levels, children with hearing 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 school or special class dedicated to children with hearing impairment is the most appropriate response. A range of such facilities is provided by my Department. At present, there are three special schools and 15 special classes at primary level catering for children with hearing impairment. All such facilities operate at a special pupil teacher ratio of 6:1 and attract special rates of capitation funding. In addition, there are three designated second level schools which cater for children with hearing impairment. Additional teaching resources are allocated to these schools to support the pupils in question.
In the particular case of St. Joseph's Special School for hearing impaired children in Cabra, Dublin, a pilot programme using Irish sign language is currently in operation and consideration will be given to extending this programme, if necessary, once the pilot phase has been completed. In some cases, a child with hearing impairment may be capable of functioning successfully in an integrated setting with an element of special support. Such support may be provided by the resource teacher service or the visiting teacher service. In addition, my Department provides funding to facilitate the purchase of specialised equipment to assist children with hearing impairment at first and second level to gain maximum benefit from the education system.
At third level, the Universities Act, 1997, requires each university to prepare a statement of its equality policy addressing, inter alia, access of people who have a disability. Furthermore, the Higher Education Authority provides targeted funding to the universities for initiatives designed to promote access to, and participation in, higher education for students with disabilities. In 1998 a sum of £400,000 was made available for this purpose. Examples of initiatives funded to date, of particular relevance to deaf and hearing impaired students, include installation of loop systems, assistive technologies, counselling and other student support services – special alarm systems and staff training and awareness development.
In addition, my Department operates a special fund for students with disabilities from which students with disabilities, including deaf and hearing impaired students, attending third level and post leaving certificate courses, may apply for assistance. The 1998 allocation to the fund was £250,000. Grants from the fund are made to students for the purchase of special equipment, special materials and technological aids, targeted interpreters and personal assistants.
As the Deputy may be aware, I have announced details of a £6.9 million two year funding initiative to tackle educational disadvantage in the third level sector. Of this funding, £3 million is being specifically allocated to promote access to third level amongst students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including people with disabilities. My officials have had discussions with various interests such as the Higher Education Authority and the Association for Higher Education, Access and Disability in relation to this year's special fund, the arrangements for which are currently being finalised.
In relation to the provision of courses for sign language interpreters, the National University of Ireland, Cork is currently concluding an interpreters course under the EU Horizon programme funded through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I understand that there are 12 students enrolled on this course. More general courses in sign language are offered by Trinity College Dublin, Waterford Institute of Technology and National University of Ireland, Maynooth. The Higher Education Authority is currently examining a proposal from Trinity College, Dublin, to establish a centre for deaf studies and I understand that the authority is consulting with various interests in the field in relation to the proposal.
