Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise with the Taoiseach gaps in the education system for children who require additional supports. We are all very conscious of the serious shortfall in this area. In particular, I want to speak about children who are failed because the education system lacks support for those with dyslexia or dyspraxia. In schools and in our State exams, people continue to be let down. During State exams, readers are often restricted in the assistance they can provide to students and the National Council for Special Education has instituted a moratorium on the setting up of new reading schools at a time when reading schools and classes are oversubscribed.

One local parent contacted me this week to express their deep frustration. Their child has severe dyslexia and fulfils the criteria for a reading class but has been denied a placement due to oversubscription. The programme for Government is silent on dyslexia more generally. What is the Government going to do to support children with dyslexia and what is the policy on reading classes within mainstream schools?

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