Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 7

Written Answers. - Education Services for the Deaf.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

120 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education if sufficient devices are available in schools for hearing impaired children who are capable of benefiting from such devices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18139/96]

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

123 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the efforts, if any, she has undertaken to survey the wishes and needs of parents and children concerning deaf education services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18156/96]

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

124 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the number of applications and inquiries she has received concerning the provision of bilingual signing teaching for deaf children in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18157/96]

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

136 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been dawn to the considerable dissatisfaction of many people with the manner in which her Department deals with deaf education as part of the overall special education section; and whether she will re-establish the deaf education policy committee within her Department. [18214/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 123, 124 and 136 together. I am satisfied that adequate provision is made for the devices to which the Deputies refer. My Department provides and maintains specialised equipment for all schools for the hearing impaired. There are five such schools, three in Dublin, one in Cork and one in Limerick. My Department also provides and maintains radio aids for children with hearing impairment attending primary and post-primary schools. Since my appointment as Minister for Education I have arranged for the implementation of a phased upgrading of specialised equipment required in special schools and classes. The question of provision of such equipment is kept under constant review.

I am satisfied that adequate arrangements currently exist to ensure that my Department is fully aware of the wishes and needs of parents and children in the area of deaf education services. Where issues arise which might affect the interests of such groups, my Department makes every effort to ensure that the opinions and values of those concerned are sought and considered. I should also mention that the interests of the hearing impaired were fully represented to the special education review committee whose report has provided a most valuable blueprint for the future development of special education service, including those relating to the hearing impaired. I am not in a position to provide precise details of the number of applications and inquiries received by my Department concerning the provision of bilingual signing teaching for deaf children. The issue in question has certainly been raised with my Department from time to time. However, as yet there is no consensus on its introduction in the special schools serving hearing impaired children.

I am not aware of the considerable dissatisfaction to which Deputy Mary Wallace refers in relation to the manner in which my Department deals with deaf education as part of the overall special education section. The reality is that the group in question does form part of the wider special needs area and as such are appropriately dealt with by the special education section. The question of reestablishing the deaf education policy committee within my Department is under ongoing review in the context of overall developments taking place in relation to education services for the hearing impaired.