Vol. 497 No. 4
181 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria used by his Department for selecting schools to have specialised reading units; the number of schools with these units; and the plans, if any, he has to evaluate and develop these units. [25281/98]
My Department's general policy in terms of identifying children with specific learning disability, dyslexia, is in line with the report of the special education review committee. The criteria which are used consist of assessment by a psychologist on a standardised test of intelligence, which places general intellectual ability within the average range or above, and performance in basic literacy skills using objective criteria, such as standardised tests, at a very low level. It would be expected that not more than some 2 per cent of the overall pupil population would be found in this category.
There are four special schools and six special classes in ordinary primary schools currently catering for children with specific learning disability. Special classes are established where an assessed level of need has been identified and on foot of an application by a school for a special class for children with specific learning disabilities.
I have recently announced a major initiative in respect of education services for children with special needs. The measures involved are aimed at ensuring that all children with a special educational need, irrespective of their location or disability, will receive the support they require to participate fully in the education system.
The measures will deliver extra teaching and child care services to all special needs children, whether in groups or in individual isolated settings. Under the arrangements, there will be a formalised system of special teaching support for all children, including those with specific learning disability, attending schools on a fully integrated basis who have been assessed as having special educational needs.
182 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has established criteria and definitions of specialised learning difficulties which will be used as yardsticks for determining eligibility for special teaching support; the extent to which they all be used; and if he will give details in this regard. [25282/98]
My Department is currently preparing information notes for schools on my recent initiative in the special education area, under which all children assessed as having special educational needs will be entitled to an automatic response to those needs. The information notes will include definitions of disabilities and guidelines on how schools should apply for special teaching support for pupils with special educationcational needs arising from a disability. It is expected that these information notes will issue to schools in early 1999.
The amount of special teaching support will be determined by the nature and degree of each pupil's special educational needs arising from a disability.
