Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Ceisteanna (341)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

341. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the educational supports in place for children in the deaf community in County Mayo; the way in which this compares with other counties; his plans to provide extra educational supports for children in the deaf community; if not, the reason therefore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24682/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provides for an extensive range of supports to assist pupils who are Deaf or hard of hearing in all counties including Mayo. In line with my Department's policy that children with special educational needs access appropriate education intervention in mainstream settings where possible, many Deaf or hard of hearing pupils are integrated into mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level, while other children who are Deaf or hard of hearing and have more complex needs may attend special schools or classes, which have lower pupil teacher ratios.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) provides additional special educational needs teaching supports to mainstream schools, and provides for special class and special school placements and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support to all schools.

In 2018/19 school year, there will be over 1,440 special classes in mainstream schools, of which 15 are for students who are deaf and 1 early intervention special class for the Deaf. Of the 124 special schools nationally, there are 2 special schools for the Deaf. There are currently no special classes or special schools for the Deaf in Co. Mayo. I have arranged for the NCSE to provide information directly to the Deputy, relating to supports for students who are deaf in mainstream classes in Co. Mayo and how it compares nationally.

The NCSE's new Support Service, through its Visiting Teacher Service for children who are Hearing Impaired, work in partnership with parents of hearing impaired children throughout Ireland, visiting their homes and/or meeting them in groups to inform, advise and offer guidance in matters pertaining to the child’s education and overall development and in helping the children to derive maximum benefit from the educational opportunities available.

The Support Service also provides funding for individual teachers and whole school staff in mainstream schools, primary and post-primary, special schools, and special classes to undertake courses in Irish Sign Language, which are available throughout the country through a variety of providers. Included in the brief of the Support Service is to enhance the quality of learning and teaching of students with special educational needs through the provision of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and support for teachers.

Additional supports provided by my Department include funding to schools for assistive technology such as radio aids and Soundfield systems, special transport arrangements for pupils and enhanced levels of capitation in Special schools and Special Classes.

Funding is also provided by my Department for a weekly home tuition service whereby tutors visit the homes of Deaf and hard of hearing pre-school children and school-going pupils to provide training in Irish Sign Language (ISL) for these children, their siblings and parents in all Counties including Mayo.

The NCSE published Policy Advice on the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Ireland which makes a number of recommendations for the improvement of educational provision for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, including recommendations relating to ISL provision.

In addition, the Comprehensive review of the SNA Scheme, which has been recently published, makes a number of recommendations relating to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Relating specifically to students who are deaf, the NCSE recommends Irish Sign Language qualified assistants in schools, to support profoundly deaf students whose primary language is ISL and that this provision should be aligned to the requirements of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.

In line with the recommendations of this review and the requirements of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, a scheme will be developed to provide Irish Sign Language support for students attending recognised schools, whose primary language is Irish Sign Language; while my Department will also seek to ensure that there are a sufficient number of educational placements offering Irish Sign Language training for teachers of children who are hearing impaired, and to determine, from time to time, the minimum qualifications of these teachers.

Barr
Roinn