The early detection of reading difficulties is a function of class and remedial teachers. My Department has allocated 1465 remedial teachers at primary level and 560 whole-time equivalents at second-level to support pupils with reading difficulties. Among their duties is the assessment of such difficulties, using a variety of tests, standardised and diagnostic, for this purpose.
Where a pupil functions at a level that is two standard deviations below the mean on a standardised test of literacy, the pupil may be referred for psychological assessment to determine if dyslexia may be an explanatory factor. Where a pupil meets the criteria of the Department of Education and Science for dyslexia, he/she may receive additional support in a special school or special class or from a resource teacher.
It is possible, with reasonable confidence, to engage in screening for dyslexia from the time pupils are in first class at the about the age of seven years.