Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason funding in respect of the only specially trained teacher for visually impaired children in County Mayo was withdrawn; the way the 60 children affected by his decision are to be assisted in integrating into mainstream classes; if he will review his decision in the interests of the children; and the reason for his actions in view of his previous commitment not to slash front-line services due to Government cutbacks. [34118/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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An interim telephone advisory service has been arranged to give schools and parents in Co. Mayo continuing contact with the Visiting Teacher who has worked with them to date in assisting their children to access the full range of educational opportunity. New referrals continue to be received and assessed in the normal way for attention by the Visiting Teacher service as soon as is practicable. While it has been necessary to make this arrangement in the short-term, the management of the service is currently examining ways in which to serve the needs of visually impaired children in the county in the medium and longer term. I can assure the Deputy that there has been no reduction in the overall Visiting Teacher numbers nationally.