Services Map

Finding your way around the national support services for deaf children can be daunting and involve many phone calls and/or internet surfing.

Here’s some help.

– The Visiting Teacher Service (home visits, school liaison)

– Hearing assistance entitlements

– Educational supports (from the very early years)

– Education policy for children who’re deaf and hard of hearing in Ireland

– Early Language Teaching At Home

– Advice and Support groups

– Tax reliefs on equipment for deaf children / students

– Tax reliefs on medical expenses for deaf children

– Sign language (ISL) for deaf children

Legislation

Ten pieces of legislation currently cover education supports and services:

1. The Education Act, 1988
2. The Salamanca Statement (UNESCO, 1994)
3. The National Disability Authority Act, 1999
4. The Education Welfare Act, 2000
5. The Equal Status Act, 2000
6. The Children Act, 2001
7. Data Protection Acts, 1988, 1998 and 2003
8. Freedom of Information Act, 1997 and 2003
9. The Teaching Council Act, 2001
10. The Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act