Vol. 469 No. 2
97 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Education if she recognises the need for the specialised teaching of dyslexia students in south Tipperary; the plans, if any, there are for the Government to fund a dyslexia programme in south Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17034/96]
The educational needs of children with the specific learning disability dyslexia, 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 percentual 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. In the current school year, a special pilot unit was established in a primary school, in Dublin, to cater for children with specific learning disability. I will be keeping the operation of this pilot unit under close review.
At present, 53 primary schools in the south Tipperary area have a remedial teacher service. This represents 58 per cent of all primary schools and 77 per cent of pupils in the area. My intention is to continue to concentrate available resources on the development of school based strategies.
