Jan O'Sullivan
Question:728 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be provided for the mid-west dyslexia school and its outreach centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11473/02]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
I understand the school referred to by the Deputy is a private concern providing a tuition service for children at primary and post primary level with dyslexia. The resources available to my Department are generally targeted towards school based supports for children with special educational needs, including children with specific learning disability. The range of special support services provided by my Department constitutes a very significant response to the educational needs of students with specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia. I intend to continue to monitor developments in this area to ensure adequate provision continues to be made available to these pupils. My Department is currently considering the report of the task force on dyslexia, which I established in October 2000. The report deals with a range of complex issues and puts forward some 61 individual recommendations aimed at improving current services in the area in question.
The educational needs of pupils with dyslexia of primary school age are generally capable of being met within the mainstream school system with the support, where necessary, of the learning support teacher service or the resource teacher service. There are currently 1,485 learning support teachers and more than 1,500 full time equivalent resource teacher posts in primary schools. For some children, the severity of the condition can be such as to require placement in a special school or a special class attached to an ordinary school. At present, there are four special schools and 20 special classes dedicated to children with dyslexia. Funding is also provided to meet any special equipment needs of the children in question.
At second level, pupils with dyslexia are normally integrated into mainstream classes. In such situations, they may receive additional tutorial support through the learning support 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. In December 2000, I announced a highly innovative nationwide pilot scheme to assist second level students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Thirty-one schools around the country are participating in the pilot project costing more than €2.5 million. Each student with dyslexia is provided with a laptop computer and specially designed software for school and home use. In addition to funding in-school support services, my Department supports the work of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland in providing classes for children with dyslexia outside of school hours. An annual funding allocation of €63,486.90 is made to the association to support this work.