Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

394 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding, if any, provided to the parents of dyslexic children to allow them avail of specialised services such as those provided by a clinic (details supplied) in County Tipperary which assists in giving an equality of education currently not available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25153/99]

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

395 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the special educational aids, if any, other than remedial teaching, available to children with dyslexia disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25154/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.

The clinic to which the Deputy refers is one of a number private commercial undertakings providing a tuition service for children of primary and post-primary age.

Resources which become available to my Department to address special educational needs, including dyslexia, are targeted on the development of in-school support services which can be availed of by all children in the system who have a genuine need for such support.

It would generally be expected that not more than 2 per cent of the overall pupil population would be found to be in the dyslexic category.

I do not accept the Deputy's suggestion that equality of education is not presently available for children with specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia. The needs of such children are generally capable of being met within the ordinary school system, with the assistance where necessary, of the remedial teacher service. Since the commencement of the current school year, the remedial teacher service has been extended to every first and second level school in the country.

All 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.

Second level pupils with specific learning disability, including dyslexia, 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 the condition is of a more serious nature, such children may attend their local primary school where they can be supported by the special resource teacher service. In this connection, I would point out that arising from a Government decision of October 1998 all children with special educational needs within the primary system, including children with dyslexia, now have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs. Indeed, since this decision was taken, an additional 183 resource teachers and 461 child care assistants have been allocated to the primary system to support children with special educational needs.

For some children, the severity of the condition can be such that placement in a special school or in a special class attached to an ordinary school may be the required response. There are four such schools in operation at present.

My Department also provides grants to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment to assist children with special needs, including those with dyslexia.

In the current year, my Department has allocated £14,000 to CHILD, the Limerick based organisation established to provide care and help for individuals with learning difficulties. My Department has also allocated £50,000 to the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities.

As Minister for Education and Science it is my intention to continue to focus available resources on developing in-school support services for children with special needs. I am satisfied that the range of special support services provided by my Department constitute a very significant response to the needs of students with specific learning disabilities.