§ Rev. Ian PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many teachers from Northern Ireland are being trained as teachers of the deaf; and if he is satisfied that sufficient qualified teachers are available to meet the needs of hearing impaired children in Northern Ireland.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThirteen student teachers are on specialist courses of initial training for teachers of the616W hearing impaired. In addition, eight serving teachers have engaged over the past two academic years in a range of courses of in-service training.
I am satisfied that sufficient qualified teachers are available.
§ Rev. Ian PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken in response to the recommendations of the Northern Ireland Assembly report on the education of hearing impaired children (March 1985) concerning the training of teachers of the deaf.
§ Dr. MawhinneyConsideration is being given to the best means, in the long term, of providing training in counselling for teachers at one of the training institutions. In the meantime, a short course has been included in the 1988 summer school programme to cater for any immediate demand.