Vol. 426 No. 5
353 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education the action, if any, she intends taking to ensure that children who suffer from dyslexia are given the support services necessary to ensure that their disability does not hinder their progress in school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The educational needs of children with specific learning disability, sometimes referred to as dyslexia, are generally met within the ordinary school system, employing a variety of approaches to suit individual needs, with the help, where appropriate, of remedial teachers.
There are 945 remedial teacher posts assigned to national schools and 71 per cent of pupils in the county attending such schools have the services of a remedial teacher.
I am currently examining the scope for the deployment of additional teaching resources to children with special educational needs and the appointment of additional remedial teachers will form a key element in this consideration.
In this connection, the Programme for a Partnership Government provides for the recruitment of 500 remedial teachers by September 1996.
The needs of children with a more acute specific learning disability are met by three special schools, two in Dublin and one in Cork.
354 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education if she has received a submission by the management of a dyslexic support centre (details supplied) in County Limerick; if so, if she has considered the submission; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I have received the submission referred to by the Deputy and the matter is being considered at present by my Department.
I will advise the Deputy of the outcome of this consideration as soon as a decision has been made.
