Vol. 435 No. 4
74 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of any surveys or research carried out by her Department to ascertain the extent of dyslexia in this country; and if she will consider organising and funding in-service courses for teachers to enable them to deal with such a learning disability.
As I advised the House on 6 October last, my Department, in conjunction with the Education Research Centre in Drumcondra, Dublin, conducted a survey of 11-year old and fifth class pupils in May 1993 to establish their reading attainment levels and to monitor trends in reading achievement over time. Pupils with low levels of achievement in reading were a specific focus of the survey. The data gathered is being analysed at present and I expect that the findings will be submitted to me in due course.
In addition, a survey aimed at identifying the extent of disability in ordinary national schools, including difficulties associated with reading, was undertaken by the Special Education Review Committee in 1992. This survey had the purpose of informing the committee in recommending what additional support services are required to meet the education needs of the children in question. Among the surveys findings was that an estimated 1,744 children with specific learning disability, including reading disability, were attending ordinary national schools.
In relation to teacher training, the position is that teachers are trained as a normal part of their teacher training course to identify specific learning disability and indeed a variety of other reading problems. Also, in-service training for remedial teachers is provided on an on-going basis at six centres throughout the country. Teachers who are not in recognised remedial posts are accommodated, where possible, on some of these courses.
