Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

515 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science when his Department will be in a position to proceed with the developments outlined in the report of the planning group for a national centre for children with visual impairments. [20128/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The planning group in question was charged with bringing forward proposals for a national centre for the visually impaired and has put forward a comprehensive range of proposals for the development of a national centre at Drumcondra, Dublin.

The national centre will deliver a comprehensive range of professional support services for the visually impaired from pre-school 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.

I am committed 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. The recommendations brought forward by the planning group involve a range of complex issues which are under 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. In addition, I have recently sanctioned the appointment of two posts for the development of services at the Drumcondra campus.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

516 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that the NEPS will have specific expertise and experienced staff to deal with the needs of visually impaired and deaf children. [20129/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The National Rehabilitation Board largely provided psychological services for deaf and visually impaired children in the past. Psychologists working in the NRB then transferred to the newly established National Disability Authority.

Subsequently, these psychologists were sub-contracted to the National Educational Psychological Service in July 2000. It is my intention, and that of NEPS, to ensure the continued provision of service to deaf and visually impaired children. This will be achieved through the recruitment of psychologists with such expertise and through the continued professional development of psychologists currently working in NEPS.