A planning group was established by my Department to consider proposals for the development of a national centre of excellence for the visually impaired. The group, which reported to me and to the Minister for Health and Children in September 2000, has put forward a comprehensive range of proposals for the development of a national centre at Drumcondra, Dublin. The national centre would deliver a comprehensive range of professional support service for the visually impaired from pre-school level to young adulthood. The services in question would be available to all pupils on the Drumcondra campus and on an outreach basis to students with visual impairment throughout the country.
The Religious Sisters of Charity were represented on the planning group and participated fully in its deliberations. The group estimated the capital costs of its proposals at up to £12.7 million. The projected staffing costs have been estimated at £1.5 million. I assure the Deputy of my commitment to ensuring that adequate educational support services are made available to all students with visual impairment. My commitment in this regard is reflected in the fact that I have secured additional funding of £500,000 in the current year to facilitate the appointment of additional staff at the existing schools for the visually impaired at Drumcondra. However, the Deputy will appreciate that the recommendations brought forward by the planning group involve a range of complex issues which require very careful consideration. The proposals in question are being considered in my Department and I expect to make an announcement on these matters in the near future. The issue of contributing towards the costs of the proposed centre is a matter for the Religious Sisters of Charity.
