Enda Kenny
Question:239 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date regarding the proposed national centre for the visually impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14269/03]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Last month, I decided that the national centre for the visually impaired should not proceed, having regard to the low and declining pupil numbers in the schools for the visually impaired and the development costs, estimated to be in excess of €30 million. However, my officials have advised the school authorities that my Department is willing to explore how aspects of the proposed centre could be developed in the context of available resources. Every effort is being made to ensure that the matter will be progressed on a collaborative basis.
Enda Kenny
Question:240 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he intends to take to support a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in their effort to obtain appropriate primary education for their visually impaired child, in view of the fact that current options open to this person are not suited to their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14270/03]
My officials are currently engaged in an exercise to secure appropriate placement for the child in question. In that regard, efforts are being concentrated on exploring whether St. Joseph's Special School for Visually Impaired Boys could be reconfigured as a co-educational school from next September. Discussions with the school patron and the management authorities in that regard are ongoing and the child's mother is being kept informed of progress. I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that the child in question receives primary education in an appropriate school setting.
Olwyn Enright
Question:241 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps which have been taken to provide facilities for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person has had only two years in mainstream education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14285/03]
I am aware of the person referred to by the Deputy. Special schools funded by the Department of Education and Science are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from four years of age until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th birthday.
The Department of Health and Children has direct responsibility for provision for young adults over 18 years of age with special needs and my Department provides funding towards the education component of such provision.
Emmet Stagg
Question:242 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when approval will issue in relation to the provision of a special needs assistant and resource teacher for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14304/03]
My Department has received an application for resource teaching and special needs assistant support on behalf of the person referred to by the Deputy. This application is being treated as an application for the 2003-04 school year and a response will issue to the school authorities in due course.