Michael Creed
Ceist:235 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education the additional resources, if any, that are available for pupils suffering from dyslexia. [13196/95]
Written Answers. - Specific Learning Disabilities.
The educational needs of primary school pupils with a specific learning disability are generally capable of being met within the ordinary school system, with the assistance, where appropriate, of a remedial teacher.
Fully qualified primary school teachers are trained to deal with a variety of reading problems, including those which are accompanied by perceptual difficulties. In addition, the special training programme for remedial teachers includes a module on specific learning disability. Where more serious cases of difficulty arise, provision is made in one of four special schools dedicated to this area. Three of these schools are located in Dublin and one in Cork.
Over the past two years I have implemented a range of measures to further improve educational provision for children with special needs.
I recently appointed 55 remedial teachers with effect from September 1995. This is in addition to 186 such teachers allocated to ordinary primary schools in the previous two years. This recent allocation brings the total number of remedial teachers in place at primary level to 1,188.
Second level pupils with specific learning disability are normally integrated into ordinary classes. In such situations they may receive additional tutorial support through the remedial teacher, guidance counsellor and subject teachers. Such children may also be eligible for special arrangements in the certificate examinations. Responsibility for the educational assessment of primary school pupils is a matter for the relevant health authorities through the director of community care.
My Department is currently in the process of developing a school psychological service at primary level on a phased basis. To this end, ten additional psychologists have been recruited. However, it will be some time before this new service will be in a position to take on responsibility for educational assessments from the health authorities.