I accept what the Minister says about the experts and the specialisation in some of the larger centres. That is highly desirable but would the Minister consider extending such facilities to major towns in particular areas where equivalent expertise and specialisation could be provided? I have become aware of the problem within the last nine months or so but I believe all this travel has a traumatic effect on these young children, particularly if the children have any disability from the point of view of communication. From that point of view I would ask the Minister to extend the scheme on a county or regional basis to cater for particular catchment areas?

My Department provide special facilities at the pre-school stage for children suffering hearing impairments and attending ordinary national schools. A number of schools for children with impaired hearing are provided. The number of teachers in schools for deaf and hearing impaired children is 138 and the number of children in these schools is 845. I have already told the Deputy I am considering the whole matter at the moment and I will communicate with him in due course.

Could the Minister tell us the number of schools?

We have three in Dublin, two in Cork and one in Limerick.

For the whole of Ireland?

I said I am examining the situation in the context of the application before me and I shall look at the matter sympathetically.