Billy Timmins
Question:50 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has carried out research into a possible link between dyslexia and juvenile delinquency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2706/02]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
I am aware of a number of surveys where an association between literacy difficulties and involvement in crime has been established. However, my Department has not carried out research into a possible link between dyslexia and juvenile delinquency.
Dyslexia is thought to cause severe literacy difficulties in about 2% of the population. Since, in studies carried out elsewhere, literacy difficulties in general have been found to be more prevalent among the prison population, it is highly likely that dyslexia is also more prevalent among prison inmates, and among delinquents. However, while there may be a higher incidence of literacy difficulties, including dyslexia, among the prison population and delinquents, it cannot be inferred that there is a causal link between the two. It is likely that criminality and learning difficulties, including reading difficulties and dyslexia, share common causes such as poverty, social exclusion, greater incidence of neurological difficulties and disadvantage.