asked the Minister for Education if, having regard to the vital contribution made to the educational and cultural needs of blind persons by the printing press of the Irish Association for the Blind and the urgent necessity of replacing the press, he will take steps to enable him to assist the Association in meeting the cost of providing a new printing press.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Printing Press for Blind Association.
35.
Financial provision by my Department for the education of the blind is made by means of various grants to two special schools. Assistance to the Irish Association for the Blind towards the cost of a new printing press would not come within the ambit of that provision.
Is the Minister aware that the Braille Printing Press is the only press of its kind in this country? At the moment it produces books used for educational and recreational purposes and reading material of all kinds in Braille and would the Minister take another look at it to see if some assistance could be given to ensure the continued supply of Braille books? The Minister will appreciate that this is a non-recurring item.
I will look into it.