Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

261 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be provided in 1999 for the Dyslexic Children's Learning Association in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, which is providing tuition to children suffering from dyslexia. [13509/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I have no proposals to provide funding for the organisation in question.

The educational needs of primary pupils with specific learning disability, including children with dyslexia, are generally capable of being met within the ordinary school system, with the support where appropriate of the remedial teacher service. The priority focus of available resources is on the development of in-school services to cater for the children in question. As part of this approach, arrangements are currently being made by my Department to extend the remedial teacher service to all first and second level schools with effect from September next.

In 1998, my Department allocated a sum of £38,111 to the association for children and adults with learning disabilities to assist their administration service and to facilitate access to workshops and summer schools for children from disadvantaged areas. In the current year an allocation of £50,000 is being made available to the ACLD.

I recently announced a major new development in special education services under which all children with special needs in the primary system are now entitled to an automatic response to those needs. Children with specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia, are entitled to avail of this development. Where more serious cases of difficulty arise, provision is made in special schools or special classes dedicated to such children. These special facilities operate at a reduced pupil teacher ratio of 11:1.