Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 5

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

John Perry

Question:

408 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the length of time spent by students of St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra in learning about a specific learning disability (details supplied), and teaching methods appropriate in primary schools; his views on whether this is appropriate; his plans to increase time devoted to this subject; his further views on whether the curriculum followed by trainee teachers sufficiently addresses learning difficulties in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5286/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The existing full-time programmes of pre-service teacher training – primary – in the colleges of education contain elements to assist the student teachers in recognising and dealing with children with special needs, including learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Details of the length of time spent by students of any college of education on a particular curricular area are matters for which the management authorities of the colleges of education are responsible. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the management authorities of St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra for direct response to the Deputy.