Vol. 437 No. 6
580 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she has made any improvement to the provision of specialist teaching for dyslexic children in County Meath since her reply to a parliamentary question from Deputy J. Bruton of 23 February 1993.
582 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to reduce the ratio of 573 primary school children in County Meath per remedial teacher, in view of the fact that this figure is substantially above the national average.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 582 together.
As previously indicated to the Deputy, the needs of children with specific learning disability, sometimes referred to as dyslexia, 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.
In line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Partnership Government, I approved the appointment of an additional 86 remedial teachers in 1993. This allocation included the appointment of an additional 2 remedial teachers for County Meath. There are now a total of 30 remedial teachers providing a service to which 83 per cent of pupils attending primary school in the county have access.
I will be keeping the question of further remedial appointments under active review as part of the Government's commitment to appoint a substantial number of additional remedial teachers in the coming years. The needs of schools in County Meath will be fully considered in this context.
Children from County Meath who suffer from more acute forms of specific learning disability have access to special school facilities located in Dublin.
