Richard Bruton
Question:464 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will establish a fund to help parents of children with dyslexia to access tuition and therapy support. [22805/01]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
The educational needs of primary pupils with specific learning disability are generally capable of being met in mainstream schools with the assistance, where appropriate, of the learning support teacher service. There are currently 1,485 learning support teachers in place in primary schools. Where the condition is of a more serious nature, support can be provided by the special resource teacher service. The number of resource teachers operating in primary schools on a full or part-time basis has increased from 104 in October 1998 to approximately 1,000 at present.
Second level pupils with specific learning disability 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 degree of the condition, they may also be eligible for special arrangements in the certificate examinations. In December 2000 I announced a highly innovative nationwide pilot scheme to assist second level students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Around the country 31 schools are participating in the pilot project costing £2 million. Each student with dyslexia has been provided with a laptop computer for school and home use. My Department is also continuing to support the work carried out by the Dyslexia Association of Ireland in assisting people with dyslexia. An allocation of £96,000 has been made to the association in the current year.
Responsibility for the delivery of therapeutic support services for children with dyslexia is a matter for the relevant health authority. In October 2000 I established a special task force on dyslexia to examine the adequacy of my Depart ment's current responses in this area and to make recommendations on the future development of services for children with dyslexia. I understand the task force has now completed its detailed deliberations and I expect to receive its report before the end of this month. I understand the issue raised by the Deputy will be among the matters addressed by the task force.