Vol. 544 No. 2
16 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide resources to ensure that where a professional assessment has taken place of a dyslexic person, the recommendation of such a report will be presented without delay. [28277/01]
I would be most anxious that all assessment reports which identify the need for special educational interventions, including reports relating to children with dyslexia, would be acted upon as speedily as possible. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind he may wish to provide me with details so that the matter can be investigated.
Since October 1998 all children who have been assessed as having special educational needs in primary schools, including children with dyslexia, have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs irrespective of their level of need or location. The educational needs of pupils with dyslexia are generally capable of being met in mainstream schools, with the support, where necessary, of the learning support teacher service. There are 1,485 learning support teachers in place in primary schools. Children whose condition is of a more serious nature may also attend their local school with the support of the resource teacher service. There are approximately 1,000 resource teachers supporting children with special needs in primary schools, including children with dyslexia. For some children, the severity of the condition may be such as to require placement in a special school or a special class attached to an ordinary school. A range of such facilities is available.
All schools have been notified of the procedures to be followed where special support services are required for children with special needs, including children with dyslexia. The procedures in question require that the school forward copies of available assessment reports and any other relevant data to the local schools' inspector so that a decision can be made on the allocation of any necessary supports.
