Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the position regarding the review of the visiting teacher service for visually impaired children; and to confirm that the service will not be subject to cuts following the review. [2583/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Visiting Teacher Service for children with Visual and Hearing Impairment provides assistance for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and children who are blind or visually impaired.

In May 2013 the National Council for Special Education brought forward policy advice which recommended that the service should be reviewed. Accordingly, an independent review of this service is currently being conducted line with the NCSE recommendations.

The review is being conducted by two independent reviewers who are tasked with reviewing the role and function of the Visiting Teacher Service in accordance with the Terms of Reference of the Review which are available on my Department's website, with a view to the making recommendations for consideration to my Department.

It would not be appropriate for me to anticipate the outcome of this review in advance of its publication. I am informed that the review will be concluded by the middle of March 2014.