John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 706: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that visually impaired students ordering books in braille before the summer break from a company (details supplied) did not receive them before school returned in September 2007; and if she will take steps to ensure that all visually impaired students who require school books in braille and order them before the summer break would have them supplied in full when returning to school in September. [20022/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Braille Production Centre (NBPC), an integral part of the services provided by St. Joseph's School for the Visually Impaired in Drumcondra, Dublin, was established in 2000 to provide blind/visually impaired pupils at first and second level with textbooks in braille and other alternative formats. The NBPC produces educational materials in braille, large print format and text only for children who are blind or visually impaired. It is an essential service to children and young people who are blind or visually impaired and without it many of them would not be able to access mainstream education or be able to undertake the Junior and Senior Cycle examinations.

My Department's Visiting Teacher Service for the Visually Impaired (VTVI) has a significant role to play in the process of ordering books or materials on behalf of a particular pupil/student. In 2006, a protocol was agreed between the NBPC and the VTVI regarding the provision of educational materials in alternative formats.

Due to the technical processes involved, the NBPC requires a significant notice period in relation to orders for the materials in question. In the case of late orders or other unforeseen circumstances where a delay occurs in the provision of books, officials from the NBPC, in conjunction with the parents of the pupil/student and the VTVI, work together to establish solutions to provide the books in a timely manner. It is accepted practice generally that the Braille books are delivered in volumes throughout the school year, due to the lengthy transcription process.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 707: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20032/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The SENOs also make recommendations to my Department in relation to assistive technology which may be required by children with certain special educational needs. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.