Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if consideration is being given to recognition of Irish sign language. [12645/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There are no plans to provide legislation in the context of Irish sign language, ISL, at present. I wish to advise the Deputy that ISL has formal recognition in the Education Act 1998. Under the Act, it is a function of the Minister for Education and Science to ensure, subject to the provisions of the Act, that there is made available to each person resident in the State, including a person with a disability or who has other special educational needs, support services and a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs and abilities of that person. This includes provision for students learning through ISL.

A number of initiatives which seek to promote, develop and implement ISL in order that it will achieve greater recognition and use in the education system are currently in place. These include: the special schools for the deaf in Cabra, Dublin, have been encouraged with regard to the use of sign language in class; in-service training is provided in the use of ISL; my Department has provided funding for an ISL weekly home tuition service whereby deaf tutors visit the homes of deaf pre-school children and deaf school-going pupils to provide training in ISL for the deaf children-pupils, their siblings and parents; my Department has sanctioned a pre-school for deaf children on a pilot basis with programmes delivered through the medium of ISL as a first language; my Department, through the Higher Education Authority, HSA, has established and fully funds a centre for deaf studies in Trinity College, Dublin which provides diploma courses for ISL-English interpreters, deaf tutors and in deaf studies.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average cost of special schools in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12646/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. There are 108 special schools nationally, employing in the region of 1,000 teachers at an annual salary cost of approximately €45 million. Other resources provided include special needs assistants, enhanced capitation grants, funding for assistive technology, capital grants etc. The level of resources provided are generally based on the pupils assessed needs.

I recognise the valuable role of special schools throughout the country. I will be asking my Department in consultation with the National Council for Special Education and other partners to consider how we can optimise the role and potential of special schools. I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of resources to meet the needs of children with special educational needs will continue to be a priority for this Government.