Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 December 2015
31. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children in primary and post-primary schools who have been diagnosed with dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43866/15]
View answerAll mainstream schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to cater for children with High Incidence special educational needs, including Specific Learning Disabilities, of which Dyslexia is one such SLD.
My Department therefore does not hold details of the number of children attending primary and post-primary schools who have been diagnosed with Dyslexia, as schools are not required to apply directly to my Department or to the National Council for Special Education for learning support for Specific Learning Disabilities. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) report on Supporting Students Special Educational Needs in Schools sets out that 0.5% of the student population in Ireland is estimated to have a Specific Learning Disability.
The Special Educational Support Service provides training courses for schools in the area of Dyslexia as well as support for in-school seminars and attendance at relevant conferences and seminars.
