Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 6

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

337 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance which his Department affords to dyslexic children who have been diagnosed as requiring out-of-school tutoring; the specific grant, if any, which covers the cost of at-home tutoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9111/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My Department's support for children with specific learning disability, including dyslexia, is generally focused on in-school services. The educational needs of such pupils are normally capable of being met within the ordinary school system, with the support, where appropriate, of the remedial teacher service.

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. There are currently 1,302 remedial teachers in place in the primary system and a further 350 such teachers in the second level system.

I recently announced my intention to extend the remedial teacher service to all first and second level schools with effect from September next. Arrangements to put this extension of service in place are currently being made in my Department.

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. Depending on the degree of the condition, they may also be eligible for special arrangements in the certificate examinations.

Where more serious cases of difficulty arise, provision is made in one of four special schools and seven special classes dedicated to such children. These special facilities operate at a reduced pupil teacher ratio of 11:1.

In 1998 my Department allocated a sum of £38,111 to the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, ACLD, to assist its administration service and to facilitate access to workshops and summer schools for children from disadvantaged areas. In the current year, an allocation of £50,000 is being made available to the ACLD.

I recently announced a major new development in special education services under which all primary school children with special educational needs will have an automatic right to a response to those needs. The response in question may take the form of additional teaching or child care support, or both, depending on the specific needs of the child. Children with specific learning disability, including dyslexia, are entitled to benefit from this development.

My Department will shortly be issuing a detailed circular and information note advising all primary schools of the procedures to be followed in seeking support under this new development in special education services.