NCBI and the families with whom we work in Co Mayo are very concerned about the decision of the Department of Education and Science to withdraw the (already limited) visiting teacher service from those residing in Co Mayo.

Throughout the country the visiting teacher service provides an invaluable support to teachers of children with impaired vision, the children themselves and of course their families. On behalf of the Department of Education and Science, visiting teachers are the gateway to services such as resource teachers, special needs assistants and specific arrangements for examinations as well as making recommendations and accessing funding for specific equipment that a child may require for his/her education.

While the department is exploring options and has offered a two hour per week availability of a visiting teacher on a mobile phone number, this situation, if it were to continue for any longer than a very short period of time would be unacceptable.

NCBI has sought clarification from the Department of Education and Science regarding its plans to rectify the current situation which leaves children who are resident in Co Mayo in a very different position from children living in other counties, who can access what has come to be a vital component of each child’s education.