Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the criteria in terms of obtaining additional support from the visiting teacher service scheme, operated by his Department, has been changed recently; the nature of that change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20718/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates two visiting teacher services, one for Travellers and the other for children and young people with hearing or visual impairment. In neither service has there been a change in the relevant system of referral to visiting teachers or any change to the appropriate criteria under which service is provided. In the case of the visiting teacher service for Travellers, very close relationships with families, schools and statutory and voluntary agencies ensure that the education of Traveller children from new and existing families in an area is constantly monitored and supported. In the case of the visiting teacher service for the hearing and visually Impaired, referrals from the relevant professional and voluntary sources and from families themselves are processed as heretofore and criteria based on professionally assessed needs continue to apply.