Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
473 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science to outline the teaching support at primary level for a child with dyslexia; the number of special teaching hours such a child could expect in the primary school system; if a child with dyslexia can expect to receive one to one support in the primary system or is all support provided at group level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22051/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildren with dyslexia are generally catered for on an integrated basis in mainstream primary schools where they can be supported by the learning support teacher service or the resource teacher service. At present, there are approximately 2,600 resource teachers and 1,531 learning support teachers in the primary system.
Where the condition is of a more serious nature, provision can be made in one of the four special schools or 23 special classes attached to ordinary primary schools and dedicated to the needs of children with dyslexia. All special schools and special classes for such children operate at a reduced pupil teacher ratio of 9:1.
My Department also provides funding to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers to assist children with special needs, including children with dyslexia, with their education where such equipment is recommended by relevant professionals. Schools can apply to the special education section of my Department for this support. Supporting documentation should include reports of psychological and other relevant professional assessments.
My Department has recently developed a weighted system of allocation of teaching support for special needs pupils, including those with dyslexia. The allocation of an additional 350 teaching posts to facilitate the introduction of the scheme has been approved. The new system will involve a general weighted allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence special educational needs, such as borderline mild and mild general learning disability and dyslexia, and those with learning support needs. It will also allow for individual allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence special educational needs.
The weighted allocation will be made as follows: in the most disadvantaged schools — as per the urban dimension of Giving Children an Even Break — a teacher of pupils with special educational needs will be allocated for every 80 pupils to cater for the subset of pupils with higher incidence special needs; in all boys schools, the ratio will be one teacher for every 140 pupils; in mixed schools — or all girls schools with an enrolment of greater than 30% boys — one for every 150 pupils; and in all girls schools, including schools with mixed junior classes but with 30% or less boys overall, one for every 200 pupils. In addition, all schools will be able to apply for separate specific allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence disabilities.
My Department has provided annual funding of €63,500 to the Dyslexia Association of Ireland since 1999. This funding has helped the association to operate an information service for members and the public. In addition, this funding has assisted in meeting the costs associated with the attendance of some children from disadvantaged backgrounds at workshops and programmes organised by the association.
474 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science to outline the support available at post primary level to a child with dyslexia including teaching support, exemptions and examination support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22052/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates additional teaching support to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for pupils with special educational needs. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authority. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupil(s) involved and the nature and level of the support provided is determined on the advice of the Psychological Service.
Additional support may also be available from the remedial teacher, guidance counsellor and subject teachers in the school. In accordance with the terms of circular letter M10/94, such pupils may also meet the criteria for exemption from learning the Irish Language. The responsibility for running the state examinations was transferred from my Department to the State Examination Commission on 6 March 2003.
This commission is a body independent from my Department and the Deputy should make direct contact with the commission in relation to state examinations arrangements for pupils with dyslexia.
