Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2012
62. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will update Dáil Éireann on the role of his Department and associated agencies in educating and creating awareness amongst employers regarding the needs of persons with Spina Bifida and persons with Hydrocephalus. [48771/12]
View answerThe policy of my Department is to promote the principle of inclusive education for children with special educational needs.
My Department, either directly or through the National Council for Special Education, provides for a range of supports in schools to enable them to cater for students with special educational needs, including Spina Bifida or Hydrocephalus. This may include additional Resource Teachers, Special Needs Assistants and specialist equipment, depending on a child's level of assessed needs.
Where children have such complex special educational needs which cannot be provided for in mainstream classrooms a special school or special class placement may be required. This is also provided for by my Department. Where children with special needs also require physical or sensory therapy supports, this support is provided by the Health Service Executive, and may be provided in schools.
In order to provide further assistance and information for parents and schools, the NCSE has published a comprehensive Information Booklet for Parents of Children with Special Educational Needs. This booklet provides information on the full range of educational supports available in schools for children with special educational needs and is available to access/download from the NCSE website. I understand it is the intention of the NCSE to produce individual information pamphlets deriving from this booklet for individual disability categories.
In general, all employers are required to have cognisance of the employment and equality legislation in relation to the employment of people with disabilities. I understand that FÁS also operates a Disability Awareness Support Scheme for companies employing people with disabilities, operated through their Employment Services under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. The Deputy may wish to seek further information regarding guidance for employers in relation to the employment of people with disabilities, from the Ministers for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Social Protection.
