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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Jul 1963

Vol. 204 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Training and Employment of Blind Persons.

45.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons why a more varied training for persons handicapped by blindness is not provided in the workshops for the blind; and whether he has at present any plans for providing more varied types of training, leading to different kinds of employment, for blind persons, either at these workshops or elsewhere.

The training provided at the workshops for the blind is related to the types of work carried on in the workshops and the practicability of introducing more varied types of employment there is kept constantly under review by the members of the Board for the Employment of the Blind. A number of projects are at the moment under active consideration.

Apart from the facilities provided at the workshops, training in telephony is arranged by my Department and where vacancies can be found in other classes of work, training is carried out at the place of employment.

Is it to be expected, therefore, that in the near future there will be a more varied type of training in these workshops?

I am awaiting proposals in that regard from the Board.

When did the Board indicate they were contemplating changes?

I met them last month. They told me then and I advised them to put their proposals before me.

Have representations been received by the Minister from the National League of the Blind for a change in the training methods?

Yes, I think I have received some representations from them.

How long ago did the Minister receive these representations?

I cannot say now. The Deputy did not ask me that question.

The Minister is a mine of information.

The Deputy did not ask me that question.

46.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of blind persons who applied for employment at the workshops for the blind in each of the past five years, the number taken into employment there in each year, and the number turned down for lack of adequate space or facilities; why these workshops have not been expanded to cater for more blind persons at present; and whether he has any plans to expand them.

It has been ascertained from the Board for Employment of the Blind that records in the form requested are available only as from 1961. Nine persons applied for employment in that year and a similar number in 1962. None has so far applied in 1963. Eight persons were engaged in 1961, five in 1962 and three in 1963. It is not possible to state the additional number, if any, who would have been taken on had more accommodation been available.

I am aware that the members of the Board for the Employment of the Blind are formulating plans for extending the accommodation and training facilities available at the workshops.

How many were refused admission by the board by reason of the fact that there were not sufficient facilities or space there?

I am not aware of any that were refused admission.

There are some who have been told by the board that they were refused because there were not sufficient facilities or sufficient space available.

They are now formulating plans for the extension of accommodation and facilities.

In the past five or six years, the net increase in workers there has been only five. Surely we can provide greater and better facilities for these people in such a workshop?

When I obtain these proposals from the board, I shall be able to decide.

Does the Minister expect to receive them soon?

I expect to receive them soon.

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