Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2006
505 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science her Department’s policy in relation to the circumstances when it is appropriate to provide education for children who suffer from deafness in special schools, and when it is more appropriate to provide education integrated into a mainstream school; and her plans for the development of facilities for the education of deaf children in the Dublin area. [4216/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that in general it is parental choice that determines whether a child who is deaf goes to a special school or to a mainstream school with support. My Department supports the child whatever option is taken up by the parent. The policy is to have a range of provision available. Issues such as the following assist the parent in making an informed choice: the age and maturity of the child; the extent of the child's hearing impairment-deafness; the presence of any other disability — for example, general learning disability, autism, physical disability, etc.; the distance between the child's home and the nearest appropriate special school, whether the child would be a residential pupil or a day attender; their awareness of the programmes being delivered in the special school; their evaluation of how important it is for the child to have a continuous schooling from 4-5 years of age to 18 years of age; proximity to an appropriate special class in a mainstream school; their knowledge of the mainstream school; their perception of its experience with pupils with special needs; the availability of resource teaching for the child; the availability of the visiting teacher service; their knowledge of the child's chances for appropriate education at second level, on transfer from primary; and the significance they attach to having their child at home.
All of these are factors that influence parental choice. Generally, those around the child in the early years — audiologists, psychologists, visiting teachers, etc., will give the parent an idea of the pupil's level of need and the options available. They assist the parent in making choices, but the parent makes the final decision.
I would also like to assure the Deputy that I will take the advice of the National Council for Special Education, which has a research function and part of whose remit it is to advise my Department on policy matters and other issues relating to the education of deaf and hard of hearing pupils nationwide, including the Dublin area.
506 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a submission on the education needs of a special school (details supplied); if consideration has been given to the needs for an occupational therapist, extra hours of music and a reserve teaching resource to cope with serious incidents and the other proposals outlined; and her plans to meet with a representative of the school to discuss their unique needs. [4218/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I advised the Deputy on 25 January last, the school wrote directly to my office concerning the matters now being raised and I furnished a comprehensive response to the school recently. My letter contained advice to the school as to how it could address the specific issues. It is open to the school to contact my officials should they require further assistance.
The provision of therapy services is a matter for the Health Services Executive, HSE, and in this context my officials have furnished a copy of the school's request to the relevant HSE area.
