Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the on-going education and training programmes in place for teachers to educate them in the complex area of congenital disabilities such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3639/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Education Support Service provides continuing professional development for teachers in the education of all pupils with special educational needs. Post-graduate programmes of continuing professional development, funded by the Department of Education and Science in the colleges and universities also provide teachers with access to continuing professional development in the education of pupils with special educational needs.

Programmes of continuing professional development address the implications for learning and teaching arising from pupils' assessed special educational needs. Special educational needs arising from a medical condition such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus are addressed within these models of continuing professional development. Based on pupils' needs, teachers are provided with knowledge and skills to assist them in providing enriched educational opportunities for pupils and a focus is maintained on developing teachers' understanding of the holistic needs of each pupil.