Vol. 529 No. 1
1188 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has any proposals to enable the teaching of Irish sign language to be provided free of charge to parents, extended family members and friends of people with a hearing disability. [1606/01]
I assure the Deputy that I fully recognise the importance of the issue he has raised. I am currently making arrangements for the establishment of an advisory committee on the education of the hearing impaired. This committee, which will be representative of the various interests in area of education for the hearing impaired, will offer guidance to my Department on the future development of services in this area.
1189 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the merit of having teaching Irish sign language within the curriculum for post-primary schools as this would enable people with hearing disabilities to be included more in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1607/01]
The number of hearing impaired students who are completely dependent on Irish sign language for communication purposes is quite small and they are being educated either in special classes or in special schools for the deaf. Were these students to be educated in mainstream settings, the degree of dispersal involved would be such that the maintenance of the particular culture that is crucially important in their lives would be extremely difficult.
It is very difficult for hearing people to learn Irish sign language unless they are regularly in a deaf community, immersed in deaf culture, regularly in the company of deaf Irish sign language users and provided with ample opportunities both to learn and use Irish sign language in situations calling for real and meaningful communication. My Department is currently making arrangements for the establishment of an advisory committee on the education of the hearing impaired. The role of Irish sign language in the future development of education services for the hearing impaired will be among the issues considered by the advisory committee.
