Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 6

Written Answers. - Reading Disorder.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

153 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education the number of school going children in Cork county and city who have been diagnosed as having the reading disorder known as Dyslexia; if she has satisfied herself that all such cases have been diagnosed; and the special remedial measures, if any, which have been taken to deal with the situation.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Precise details of the number of schoolgoing children in Cork county and city who have been diagnosed as having the reading disorder are not readily available.

The educational needs of such children are generally met within the ordinary school system, employing a variety of approaches to suit individual needs, with the help, where appropriate, of remedial teachers.

There are 109 remedial teacher posts in Cork city and county and 75 per cent of pupils in the county are attending schools which have the services of a remedial teacher. In addition, a special school has been established in Cork which caters for children with severe reading disorders whose needs cannot be met by the in-school services.

I am currently examining the scope for the deployment of additional teaching resources to children with special educational needs and the appointment of additional remedial teachers will form a key element in this consideration.