Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
564. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the situation regarding the provision of spaces in school for children with visual impairment, if they are included in the configuration for special classes; if not, if they are included in mainstream classes or can they go on an inclusive basis between the special class and the mainstream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39429/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education and Youth provides an extensive range of supports to assist pupils who are Blind or who have a Visual Impairment. The department's policy, which is provided for under Section 2 of the Education of Persons with Special Needs Act 2004, aims to ensure all children with special educational needs access appropriate education intervention in mainstream settings where possible.
My department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
The vast majority of students with special educational needs, including those with visual impairments, are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
Students who have visual impairment and who are in mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level can access additional supports such as Special Education Teachers and Special Needs Assistant (SNA). Schools are advised to provide the highest levels of additional teaching support for those pupils with the highest levels of need, including pupils who may have severe levels of visual impairment. Other children who have visual impairment may attend special schools or classes, for which lower pupil teacher ratios are provided of 8:1. Currently there is a dedicated special school in Drumcondra and two special classes attached to a post-primary school, for children with greater levels of need who are blind or have a visual impairment.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. The visiting teacher service for the blind and visually impaired forms part of the NCSE support service for schools, and visiting teachers are now recruited, deployed and managed by the NCSE.
Currently, there are 16 full time visiting teacher posts and two NCSE Associates allocated across the NCSE. The visiting teachers are supported by teams of professionals and agencies such as ophthalmology services, speech and language therapists, low vision specialists, psychologists, early intervention teams and school staff. The NCSE Associates are experienced former visiting teachers who work as part-time associates with the NCSE.
The Department of Education and Youth also provides funding annually to Child Vision’s Reading Services, formerly National Braille Production, to provide all students with a registered visual impairment with transcriptions of educational material for primary and secondary schools, in both mainstream and special schools in Ireland.
Funding is also available to schools for specialised equipment for pupils who have visual impairment, under Circular 0010/2013, including Braille Equipment and Braille Keyboard
It is my priority that all of the resources and supports for children who are visually impaired are provided when they are needed, and we will continue to engage with NCSE and the relevant stakeholders on the provision of these supports.
