Vol. 513 No. 2
187 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students with dyslexia or attention deficit disorder; the way in which this figure has been calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2163/00]
My Department does not have specific details of the number of students with dyslexia or attention deficit disorder.
Arising from a Government decision of October 1998, all children with special needs within the primary system, including children with dyslexia or attention deficit disorder, now have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs.
Since this decision was taken, an additional 225 resource teachers and 642 child care assistants have been allocated to the primary system to support children with special needs, including those with dyslexia or attention deficit disorder. There are now a total of 329 resource teachers and 937 child care assistants in the primary system.
All schools have been advised of this development and have been informed of the information they are required to submit to my Department in support of any application for special education services. The information in question includes particulars of the special needs children in respect of whom the support is being sought. Applications for support under this arrangement are providing significant data relating to levels of special need within the system. If further information is required in order to develop a more accurate picture of special needs levels on a national basis, the necessary arrangements will be made.
