Vol. 441 No. 5
196 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to provide special education for children in the Neilstown/Clondalkin area of Dublin 22, who are dyslexic in view of the numbers involved and the lack of vacancies elsewhere in Dublin.
The educational 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.
At present there are 1,033 remedial teacher posts assigned to national schools and 77 per cent of pupils in the country have access to the services of a remedial teacher. The Deputy may be aware of my intention to appoint an additional 100 remedial posts with effect from September next and these appointments will provide a significant extension to this service.
The needs of children with a more acute specific learning disability are met by three special schools, two in Dublin and one in Cork.
I am aware of the limited number of places available to meet the needs of children with more acute specific learning disability in the greater Dublin area. My Department is actively pursuing this issue with a view to providing an additional facility in the west County Dublin area for such children.
197 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has for the provision of education for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 who is dyslexic and whose parents have been informed that there are 156 assessed and qualified children competing for 50 places in the nearest special school.
My Department has not previously been advised of the case raised by the Deputy. However, I am having this matter investigated and I will advise the Deputy of the out come as soon as possible.
