ABSTRACT
Ireland is a country divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. First-level education in Ireland covers a period of eight years. The Visiting Teacher Service focuses on pre-school hearing impaired children, and gives advice and support to children who are placed in ordinary schools. There are 17 classes attached to special schools, which provide appropriate education and training for children with severe and profound mental handicap. Children with mild and moderate mental handicap form the largest single category of all forms of handicap. The Report of the Commission on Mental Handicap in Ireland recommend the use of the term 'mental handicap' on three levels, such as mild, moderate and severe, which relates to intelligence quotients with an upper limit of 70,50 and 35 respectively. Children with visual or hearing impairment are supported by peripatetic teaching services. The needs of pupils with visual impairment are met through two special schools in Dublin, one in Merrion and the other in Drumcondra.
