Visually impaired left without a centre

WE are dismayed that the Minister for Education and Science Noel Dempsey has rejected plans for a National Centre for the Visually Impaired.

It is almost inconceivable that in this Year of the Disabled, the minister should turn down a resource for the visually impaired and blind children of this country.

It is incredible that the Department of Education and Science rejects plans to improve the educational and support services provided to blind and visually-impaired children, despite the inadequacy of current and planned future services for many of our children, especially girls of primary school age.