Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 7

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

109 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the facilities are adequate to cater for persons with dyslexia, reportedly 10 per cent of the population; the plans, if any, the Government has to cater for this learning difficulty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14729/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

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 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.

I am aware of the claim of an incidence of 10 per cent to which the Deputy refers. This figure is one of a variety of claims which have been made regarding the incidence of the condition in question,. The Special Education Review Committee, which examined provision in this area, indicated that estimates of the incidence of specific learning disability are usually within the range 1 per cent to 4 per cent, depending on the definition adopted.