Vol. 498 No. 1
369 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the schemes and services available to the parents of secondary school children who have learning difficulties associated with a diagnosis of dyslexia; the financial assistance, if any, available from his Department to these parents to assist them with meeting the costs of providing appropriately qualified private tuition to the dyslexic child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26503/98]
370 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the services, if any, available to children diagnosed with dyslexia in State funded secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26504/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 369 and 370 together.
In 1997, my Department allocated funds to the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, ACALD, to assist in their 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 for the ACALD.
Second level pupils with specific learning disability are normally integrated into ordinary classes. If necessary, they may receive additional tutorial support through the remedial teacher, guidance counsellor and subject teachers. Depending on their level of difficulty, they may also be eligible for special arrangements in the certificate examinations. Where more serious cases of difficulty arise, provision is made in a range of special schools and special classes dedicated to the needs of the children in question.
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 specific learning disability will be fully considered in this context.
An additional sum of £50,000 has been allocated to the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities.
