Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 7

Written Answers. - Special Education Needs.

Paul McGrath

Question:

429 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the funds, if any, his Department has provided towards the development of special units within national schools to help children with specific learning difficulties; the considerations, if any, he has to establish these units as is recommended by the report of the Special Education Review Committee; the funds, if any, which are available to regional branches of the Dyslexia Association to help them with their work; and the proposals, if any, he has to help children with reading difficulties in view of recent reports on adult literacy in Ireland. [7329/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The educational needs of primary pupils with a specific learning disability are generally capable of being met within the ordinary school system, with the assistance, where appropriate, of a remedial teacher. Where more serious cases of difficulty arise, provision is made in one of a range of special schools and special classes dedicated to the needs of such children. Such facilities operate at a reduced pupil teacher ratio of 11:1 and attract special increased rates of capitation funding.

All such facilities are established on the basis of professionally assessed need and in accordance with the criteria set out in the report of the Special Education Review Committee. My Department is prepared to give favourable consideration to the development of further such facilities where the need has been properly established.

In 1997, my Department allocated £24,971 to the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities to assist in the administration service and to facilitate access to workshops and summer schools for children from disadvantaged areas. My Department is at present considering a request for additional funding from the association.

I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area to ensure that all available resources are deployed as effectively as possible. I assure the Deputy that the needs of children with a specific learning disability will be fully considered in this context.