Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
133. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review into the visiting teacher service, including when he will publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11215/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Review of the Visiting Teachers service for blind and visually impaired and deaf and hard of hearing pupils (VTVHI) report was published on my Department's website on 10th February, 2015.
The report is available at the following link: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/pub_ed_review_VTHVI_service_ireland.pdf.
The review recommended that a dedicated specialist sensory support service incorporating current services for children who are deaf/hard of hearing, and children who are blind/visually impaired should be retained in Ireland in order to continue to deliver support for these low incidence groups.
It also recommended that in order to promote effective, efficient working that an appropriate structural framework is developed within which a senior management team (SMT) is actively engaged in developing services and where clear lines of governance are in place.
The previous Minister for Education announced, in 2015, the establishment, within the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), of a new Inclusion Support Service to assist schools in supporting children with special educational needs.
The new service will include the Special Education Support Service (SESS), the National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) and the Visiting Teacher Service for children who are deaf/hard of hearing and for children who are blind/visually impaired (VTSVHI).
I can advise that work is ongoing to transfer these services to the NCSE, who are currently recruiting, through the Public Appointments Service, a new Head of Service and Deputy Head of Service for the Visiting Teacher Service for young children and students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and to those who are Blind/Visually Impaired, their families and schools.
This proposed change will mean that schools will receive a better and more integrated service from this new Inclusion Support Service.
