Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
472. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children and young people who are blind or visually impaired and who are currently receiving orientation and mobility or rehabilitation services delivered by an organisation (details supplied), and funded by her Department, in counties Cork, Tipperary and Waterford. in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16838/26]
View answerSince 1999, my Department has partnered with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) to support the operation of the Child Mobility Programme. This funding enables IGDB to employ a Mobility Instructor who works with blind and visually impaired children, providing mobility training in schools and along school routes, as well as assisting with the use of canes and other mobility equipment.
The Visiting Teacher Service within the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for selecting the children who participate in the programme.
The figures sought by the Deputy are not readily available, however, my Department is liaising with the Visiting Teacher Service to compile this information and will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
