asked the Minister for Education if he is prepared to grant his approval to the establishment of a special school at Greenmount, County Cork for profoundly deaf children, in view of the fact that a classroom and equipment are available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork School For Deaf Children.
21.
I have recently set up a committee to review the provision made for the education of deaf and partially deaf children and to make recommendations.
One of the matters which the committee will be considering will be the question of the provision of a school for the deaf in Cork. I propose, accordingly, to await the report of the committee before giving further consideration to this matter.
While I agree with the Minister that the establishment of a school for partially deaf children would be welcome, what I am mainly thinking of is the provision of facilities for profoundly deaf children. There is a very big difference. In view of the fact that the facilities are there and the children are there, would the Minister not reconsider the decision he has made? It will be quite a time before the report of the committee is available, and everything seems to be laid on there.
Mr. O'Malley
There is already a special class for profoundly deaf children in Greenmount national school, Cork, and the question of a special school for the profoundly deaf has been raised on several occasions, though this school was not previously suggested as the location for such a school. The view of the Department is that there are three residential schools for the deaf: St. Joseph's Cabra, St. Mary's, Cappagh and Mary Immaculate for Junior Boys, Stillorgan, and that any advantages which a large school in Cork could afford would be far outweighed by the disadvantages. I may say that the matter is one for consideration by this new committee, and there are two representatives of the Cork Association for the Deaf on this body.
Is this a committee or a commission?
Mr. O'Malley
It is a type of committee or commission. They are advising me, anyway, on the problem.
Would the Minister bring this matter to their attention?
Mr. O'Malley
This matter has been brought to their attention and it is one of the specific points on which they will be making recommendations to me.