Vol. 552 No. 1
758 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to redress the imbalance on the advisory committee on deaf education between representation from the Catholic Institute for the Deaf and members of the deaf community themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11613/02]
759 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to redress the imbalance on the advisory committee on deaf education due to the non-representation of the multi-denominational education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11614/02]
760 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to ensure that issues and proposals of concern to members of the deaf community and their nominated representatives are given adequate debate and consideration by the advisory committee on deaf education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11615/02]
I propose to take Questions No. 758, 759 and 760 together.
The terms of reference of the advisory committee on the education of the deaf and hard of hearing require that it review the adequacy of the current range of educational support services available to students with hearing impairment; identify and prioritise areas of service provision which require development or adjustment, and bring forward such proposals as are considered appropriate in order to ensure the development and delivery of an appropriate, effective and efficient education support service for students with hearing impairment.
I am satisfied the composition of the committee, details of which are set out below, is not imbalanced and that it has within its membership the necessary range of expertise and experience to enable it to fulfil its remit. I understand that it will shortly be inviting submissions from interested parties. Such submissions will be facilitated either by letter, by email or by video using sign language. The committee is also giving consideration to the possibility of holding regional meetings to facilitate additional inputs from interested parties. I am confident that the work of the advisory committee will provide a valuable input into the future development of services for pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Membership of the advisory committee on the deaf and hard of hearing is comprised of chairperson, Ms. Maura Buckley, a teacher at St. Mary's Special School for Visually Impaired Girls, Merrion, Dublin; and one nominee from each of the following – the Irish Deaf Society, the Catholic Institute for the Deaf, the National Association for the Deaf, the Model School for the Deaf Project, the visiting teacher service, the Minister for Health and Children, schools management, the INTO, ASTI and TUI; and two nominees from special schools for the hearing impaired – one with expertise in provision at primary level and one with expertise at second-level – and the Department of Education and Science.
