Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2015
153. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of deaf children in primary and post primary education who are availing of the sound field classroom technology; the budget her Department offers in support of installing this technology; if she will consider increasing the grant to schools that cannot afford to install this technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36802/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides for an extensive range of supports to assist pupils who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. In line with my Department's policy that children with special educational needs access appropriate education intervention in mainstream settings where possible, many Deaf or Hard of Hearing pupils are integrated into mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level with additional supports such as additional resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support. Other children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing may attend special schools or classes, which have lower pupil teacher ratios.
In order to support the education of pupils who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, grant-aid is also provided to schools towards the provision of specialist equipment including Soundfield systems and Radio Aids. The criteria for allocation of support under the Assistive Technology scheme is set out in my Department's Circular 10/2013.
Once equipment has been purchased, my Department refunds school authorities in accordance with the sanction provided. I understand that, in general, costs associated with installation of Soundfield systems are incorporated into the purchase price.
I can confirm that 257 applications were approved by my Department in 2014 in respect of Soundfield systems and radio aid equipment for pupils who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
