Austin Deasy
Ceist:92 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the financial resources, if any, being provided to cater for dyslexic children other than remedial teaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3327/00]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Apart from the support which is available to the children in question through the remedial teacher service, such children can be given special additional tuition in integrated settings in mainstream schools. Alternatively, where the condition is of a more serious nature, such children can be catered for in special schools or in special classes attached to mainstream schools which are dedicated to specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia.
At present, there are four special schools and 16 special classes dedicated to catering for children with the condition in question. Each such facility is staffed to operate at a reduced pupil teacher ratio of 11:1. Children attending such facilities also attract enhanced capitation funding at a rate of £263 for pupils under 12 years of age and £423 for pupils of 12 years or over.
Children with dyslexia may also attend mainstream schools on a fully integrated basis with the support, where necessary, of the resource teacher service. Arising from a Government decision in October 1998 all special needs children within the primary system, including children with dyslexia, are now entitled to an automatic response to their needs. The nature and level of the response is dictated by the assessed needs of the individual child. As a result of this development, special needs children within the primary system, including children with dyslexia, are now supported by a total of 329 resource teachers.
At second level, a total of 239 resource teachers are deployed to support special needs children, including the children in question.
In addition to the range of in-school supports described above, my Department is continuing to support the work carried out by the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities. In the current year, an allocation of £50,000 is being made to this body.