Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Question:

431 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the services which he will provide to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and the provision he will make to ensure that a second level school can be found with the appropriate level of support. [13520/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate the needs of the child in question with a view to ensuring that any necessary educational support services are put in place as soon as possible. The educational needs of pupils with dyslexia of primary school age are generally capable of being met within the mainstream school system with the assistance, where appropriate, of the learning support teacher service or the resource teacher service. Such supports are provided on the basis of the assessed needs of the individual children involved.

Second level pupils with dyslexia are normally integrated into mainstream classes. In such situations they may receive additional tutorial support through the remedial teacher, guidance counsellor and subject teacher. Depending on the severity of the condition, they may also be eligible for special arrangements in the certificate examinations. For some children, the severity of their condition can be such that placement in a special school or in a special class attached to a mainstream school is the required response. There are four special schools and 19 special classes dedicated to such children at present.

In October 2000 I established a special task force on dyslexia to examine the adequacy of current educational responses to the children in question and to make any recommendations considered necessary for the further development of services in this area. I understand the task force has now completed its detailed deliberations and is currently finalising its report which it expects to present shortly. The report of the task force will provide a valuable input into the future development of services in this important area.