Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Jack Wall

Question:

444 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the addresses of the four special schools dealing with dyslexia and the 18 special classes in other schools; the rural/urban mix of these schools and classes; if they are completely full or if there are positions available for children suffering from dyslexia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22291/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The schools catering for pupils with specific learning disability (dyslexia) are as follows: St. Killian's Special School, Cork; St. Oliver Plunkett's Special School, Monkstown, County Dublin; Catherine McAuley Special School, Baggot St., Dublin 2 and St. Rose's Special School, Balrothery, Tallaght, Dublin 24

There are also 19 special classes for pupils with specific learning disability attached to 12 primary schools. They are as follows:

County	Roll No.	School	No. ofClasses
Clare	15042	Ennis NS	1
Dublin	16970	St. Oliver Plunkett's National School, Malahide	3
Dublin	17914	St Thomas S National School, Jobstown	3
Dublin	19611	Scoil Colmcille Donaghmede	2
Dublin	19765	St. Molaga's National School, Balbriggan	2
Galway	19468	Scoil Caitriona, Renmore	1
Kerry	19512	St Oliver's, Ballycasheen	1
Limerick	19336	St. Paul's Dooradoyle	1
Limerick	19670	Presentation Girls, Galvone	1
Wexford	20003	St Aidan's NS, Enniscorthy	2
Limerick	19417	St Kieran's NS	1
Clare	7315	Holy Family Senior School	1
Total		12 Schools	19 Classes

Each special class can cater for up to 11 pupils. My Department does not have up-to-date data on the number of children actually attending each specific class at present. However, additional special classes will be established where a need is identified.

Many children with dyslexia are capable of attending ordinary schools on a fully integrated basis with the support of the remedial or resource teacher service. Since the commencement of the current school year, the remedial teacher service has been extended to all first and second level schools with a pupil teacher ratio of 10:1 or more. In addition, over the past two years the number of resource teachers supporting children with special needs in the primary system has increased from 104 to more than 560.

The Deputy will be aware that I recently established a special task force on dyslexia. This task force, which is comprised of experts in the field, has been requested to review my Department's current response to the educational needs of children with dyslexia and to make recommendations on the measures which should be put in place to ensure that the needs of such children are fully addressed for the future. The task force has already commenced its work and has been requested to report to me within three months.

I am confident that the report of the task force will provide a basis for ensuring that the needs of all children with dyslexia are fully met in the future.