I propose to take Questions Nos. 1245, 1246, 1249, 1257 and 1258 together.
I wish to advise the Deputies that the specific information requested in respect of primary schools with pupils with hearing impairment in the counties mentioned is not readily available to my Department.
The position regarding the visiting teacher service on 31 July 2006 is that there were two visiting teachers supporting children/students with hearing impairment assigned to Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. These assignments remain in place.
There is currently a vacancy for a visiting teacher for the hearing impaired in the Galway region. My Department initiated the process of appointing a successor who was appointed but subsequently decided not to accept the position. The post was re-advertised in the national newspapers at the beginning of this school year and interviews are due to be held in October. In the meantime, a part-time temporary appointment has been made.
During the summer my Department examined the overall casework requirements for the services of a visiting teacher in the Galway area. Following this review, it has been decided that a second visiting teacher should be appointed to work in East Galway. Interviews for this post will also be held in October. The successful candidate will also work in Roscommon and Longford.
Children with a hearing impairment needing access to a visiting teacher in the Longford region will continue to access the services of a visiting teacher assigned to Cavan/Monaghan until the vacancies have been filled.