Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Finian McGrath

Question:

261 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason he did not select an outside body to investigate and bring forward proposals for the appropriate system for education of the deaf, instead of a committee weighted in favour of the existing service providers themselves. [22867/03]

Finian McGrath

Question:

262 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the advisory committee was allowed to invite successful educators of the deaf from abroad to offer recommendations. [22868/03]

Finian McGrath

Question:

263 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the deaf com munity is not allowed to run its own schools like every other community in the country. [22869/03]

Finian McGrath

Question:

265 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department does not confine itself to monitoring teacher performance, educational progress and funding of deaf schools as it does with national schools and as it did prior to 1951, when it proved to be a much more successful method. [22871/03]

Finian McGrath

Question:

266 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason deaf children's human rights as represented by the school leavers in the research of a person (details supplied) were ignored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22872/03]

Finian McGrath

Question:

267 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin is allowed to remain the official patron of the only two schools for the deaf in the country and is in effect a barrier between the deaf community and its own education system. [22873/03]

Finian McGrath

Question:

268 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a high percentage of the deaf community feel let down by the educational service; and if he will enter talks with the Irish Deaf Society to resolve this issue. [22874/03]

Finian McGrath

Question:

269 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of deaf pupils in mainstream schools and special schools, both primary and secondary; and the back-up services available in this regard. [22875/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 to 263, inclusive, and 265 to 269, inclusive, together.

The advisory committee on the education of the deaf and hard of hearing was established with the following terms of reference: To review the adequacy of the current range of educational support services available to students who are deaf or hard of hearing; to identify and prioritise areas of service provision which require development or adjustment; and, to bring forward appropriate proposals to ensure the development and delivery of an appropriate, effective and efficient education support service for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The committee is representative of agencies involved or with an interest in the education of the deaf and hearing-impaired and is not weighted in favour of any particular interest. It is independent of any particular sectoral interest in pursuance of its terms of reference. It is open to the committee's members, including the representative of the Irish Deaf Society, to use this valuable forum to raise any issues of concern. Submissions from the wider public have also been facilitated.

The schools for the deaf, in line with the majority of schools at primary and post-primary level, are denominational in character and privately owned. While I am prepared to support diversity of school provision where required, I must also point out that I have no reason to call into question the current patronage arrangements relating to the schools for the deaf. Any concerns the deaf community may have concerning these arrangements should be raised with the patron in the first instance. My Department's relationship with the schools for the deaf is consistent with its engagement with schools generally. The key requirements are to ensure the quality of education and teaching and the payment of all necessary grant aid.

I do not understand the Deputy's reference to the human rights of deaf children being ignored. My Department provides an extensive range of supports for this pupil cohort. This includes three special schools, 17 special classes attached to mainstream primary schools, three special classes at post-primary level and a pilot pre-school service. Pupils with hearing impairment may also be integrated into mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level with the assistance of the resource teaching and special needs assistant services. My Department also contributes to the professional development of teachers through funding courses in Irish Sign Language. In addition, the visiting teacher service provides a service to children from pre-school to third level. An enhanced capitation grant is provided to schools with hearing impaired pupils and grant-aid is available towards the special equipment needs of pupils.

There are approximately 250 pupils enrolled in the three special schools. The number of pupils with a hearing impairment enrolled in special classes and in mainstream primary and post-primary schools is not readily available. The Deputy may wish to note, however, that pupil-teacher ratio in the 17 special classes is 7:1.

Finian McGrath

Question:

264 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason deaf education is catered for in the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003 when deafness is not a disability if the appropriate method of education is used. [22870/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The aim of the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill is to provide a statutory framework within which the education of children and people who have special educational needs can be guaranteed as a right enforceable in law. The purpose in legislating for those who are deaf is to ensure that they have access to a range of services which must be provided, including assessments, individual education plans and support services.

Questions Nos. 265 to 269, inclusive, answered with Question No. 261.