Vol. 396 No. 6
21 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the total number of people in the country recognised as being dyslexic; whether she intends to initiate any particular programme to assist these people; if she has received a submission from the Kildare or National Association for Dyslexia; if she will respond favourably to the request; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
There is no agreed figure among researchers for the proportion of pupils which would present with the range of difficulties commonly referred to as dyslexia. However, it is a very small proportion of the overall number in the school going population who present with learning difficulties.
All fully qualified national teachers have been trained to help pupils with learning disabilities and the principal means by which this help will be supplemented will continue to be the remedial teaching service. I recently sanctioned 30 additional remedial teaching posts bringing the total of such posts to some 900.
I have also recently decided that two pilot projects for the establishment of a primary schools' psychological service be initiated. A purpose of such a service would be an earlier and more comprehensive identification of primary school pupils with learning disabilities of whatever type who would benefit from special remedial action.
My Department has received the submission referred to by the Deputy and has forwarded it to the Primary Education Review Body whose report will take it into account.
