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School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022

Thursday, 3 February 2022

Ceisteanna (286, 287, 288, 290, 291, 292, 293)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

286. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education when the former visiting teacher supporting primary school children with hearing impairments finished in their role with west team 1; when a replacement was appointed; the reason that parents or principals were not informed; when the voicemail recording on the visiting teacher’s phone was altered to reflect the change; the date on which both parents and teachers were informed of the new appointment and provided with contact details; the interim arrangements provided by her Department given that a number of these children had already had their hearing impairment misdiagnosed by the State; her views on whether this lack of communication is acceptable; her further views on whether this approach by her Department undermines previous assurances given by her Department to the parents of the children misdiagnosed by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5677/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

287. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the guidance issued to schools and parents of children with hearing impairment following the decision to make mask wearing compulsory in primary schools; when this guidance was issued to schools and parents respectively; the date that the National Council for Special Education provided specific guidance to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5678/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

288. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the specific formal training that visiting teachers for hearing impairment must complete in advance of taking up such a post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5679/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

290. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the specific programs that the National Council for Special Education has or is putting in place for teachers of primary schoolchildren in mainstream classes with a hearing impairment such as incorporating more visual learning into the classroom; the number of complaints received by her Department and the NCSE respectively in relation to the current training provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5681/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

291. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the formal handover procedure when there is a change of visiting teacher for hearing impairment; the process of handing over case files; the process of informing parents; the process of informing schools and teachers; the NCSE policies in this area; the partnership policies the NCSE has in relation to correspondence with schools, audiologist, speech, and language, occupational therapists and parents on an ongoing basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5682/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

292. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the reason that the start of year and end of year assessment and team meeting and partnership is not made available for each child to help guide the teachers, parents and pupils; if she will review the availability of this material; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5683/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

293. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the policy regarding the visiting teacher for hearing impairment requesting access to pupils' individual education plan report in national school and the support plan at second level; the policy in relation to their input into these reports with a specific focus on learning difficulties due to hearing impairment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5684/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 286, 287, 288, 290, 291, 292 and 293 together.

The management of visiting teachers transferred from the Department of Education to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) now has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.

Visiting teachers, for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, provide additional supports for such children, their families, and schools. As the visiting teacher service forms part of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Support Service for schools, the visiting teachers are now recruited, deployed and managed by the NCSE.

The matters raised by the Deputy are operational in nature, accordingly, I have referred the question, to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 287 answered with Question No. 286.
Question No. 288 answered with Question No. 286.
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