The planning group which was charged with bringing forward proposals for a national centre for the visually impaired has put forward a comprehensive range of proposals for the development of a centre at Drumcondra, Dublin. The centre will deliver a comprehensive range of professional support services for the visually impaired from pre-school level to young adulthood. The services in question will be available to all pupils on the Drumcondra campus and on an outreach basis to students with visual impairment throughout the country. The planning group's proposals also envisage the development of co-educational provision for sighted and visually impaired students at Drumcondra. The Sisters of Charity were represented on the planning group and participated fully in its deliberations.
I can assure the Deputy of my commitment to ensuring 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 to the existing services 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. As part of this process my Department, in consultation with the Department of Health and Children, will shortly be appointing a project team to undertake a technical assessment of the scope and likely cost of the project. Detailed terms of reference for the project team are currently being finalised by my Department. The position relating to the Sisters of Charity lands attaching to the Merrion school is a matter for the sisters.
