To ask the Minister of Education (i) how many teachers have completed the mandatory qualification in sensory impairment; (ii) how many of these have completed this in the last five years; and (iii) whether an estimate has been made of how many teachers will complete this qualification in the next five years.

ANSWER

My Department has been provided with the following information by the Education Authority (EA).

29 teachers have completed the mandatory qualification in sensory impairment, of whom three have completed it in the last five years.

Eight teachers are currently completing the mandatory qualification in sensory impairment.

The number of teachers that will complete this qualification in the next five years is dependent on vacancies which arise.

The EA is committed to ensuring that all teachers in its Sensory Service (which provides support to children and young people with sensory impairment) complete the relevant mandatory qualification.