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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

133 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the accommodation provided for persons with dyslexia sitting the leaving certificate; the manner in which this accommodation is dealt with by the Central Applications Office in the context of offers for third level college places; and his views on the availability of accommodation at third level colleges for persons with dyslexia when undertaking examinations. [12118/02]

My Department operates a scheme of reasonable accommodations for candidates with special needs at the certificate examinations. The range of reasonable accommodations in place includes the use of readers, scribes, tape-recorders and the use of computer technology in certain cases. It is also possible for a special needs candidate to be granted an exemption from the assessment of spelling and grammar in language subjects.

When applying for a third level place a student can either apply through the standard or non- standard entry routes. When a student pursues the standard entry routevia the Central Applications Office they are invited to indicate on the application form if they have a difficulty with either a medical/physical condition/specific learning disability which they believe should be brought to the attention of the relevant higher education institution. When a student indicates that they have such a difficulty the CAO will contact the student for further details, which they will then supply to the institution concerned. In this regard, I understand that most colleges will consider applications from students with dyslexia seeking an exemption on a third language requirement.
The non-standard route involves direct application by the student to the institution in question with individual assessment of each application. In some cases, forms of assessment other than the leaving certificate are used and applicants may be invited for an interview. The report of the commission on the points system supports these arrangements and recommends that each third level institution should set aside a number of places for students with physical and learning disabilities.
The report of the action group on access to third level education sets out a comprehensive framework to increase participation in third level education by disadvantaged students, mature students and students with disabilities. The report makes a number of recommendations in relation to students with disabilities with the aim of ensuring a smooth transition from second level to third level. Implementation of these recommendations is under consideration within my Department in the context of available resources.
The availability of accommodations for examinations at third level is a matter for each individual institution concerned. I understand that a range of supports may be available in institutions to support students with disabilities when they enrol in the institution including special examination facilities for candidates with specific learning difficulties. The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability, which receives funding from my Department through the Higher Education Authority, has issued a detailed guide for third level institutions regarding examination arrangements for students with disabilities.
The special fund for students with disabilities, which is administered by my Department, assists students who have special needs in attending third level institutions. The purpose of the fund is to provide grant assistance to students towards the cost of special equipment, including computers, special materials and technological aids, targeted transport services, personal assistants and sign language interpreters. Applications for assistance under the fund are forwarded to my Department at the beginning of the academic year. In 2001, allocations totalling €2,619,470 were made to 809 students pursuing courses in the academic year 2001-02.
Since 1996 the Higher Education Authority has been providing funding under its targeted initiative scheme for a range of measures designed to facilitate students with disabilities. The amount allocated for such measures in 2001 was €1.2 million. In the area of dyslexia, measures funded include learning support tutors, dyslexia support officers, orientation programmes for students with disabilities, provision of assistive software and student spelling support services.
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