Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Gerard CraughwellGerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

First and foremost, I support the call this morning with respect to the IMPACT special needs workers in schools. Slowly but surely, we have watched the education system being run down to a point where zero-hour contracts and contracts by the minute are almost the order of the day, and I would support IMPACT.

I rise this morning in support of the call by the Dyslexia Association of Ireland which has been excluded from the support scheme of national organisations by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government administered through Pobal. Dyslexia destroyed the educational opportunities of thousands and thousands of those of my vintage who passed through the education system and who have not been recognised until much later in life. We are now in a situation where temporary funding was provided until June of this year but, despite numerous appeals and submissions by the dyslexia association, and promises of a review of the decision, to date there has been no reply. I understand that the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland have called for an extension of the current temporary funding arrangements up until December 2006. These organisations are also seeking a commitment to be included in funding up to 2017.

As an educator, my concern here today is the potential damage being done to children of this country by limiting funding for the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. Despite improvements over the past decade, the Irish education system is still not meeting the needs of children and young people with dyslexia, as evidenced by the following information. Some 28% of children receive public assessment by NEPS and the HSE and 72% must seek private assessment. Even after dyslexia is identified, 56% of parents report difficulty in gaining access to help for their children. The average annual family cost associated with dyslexia is running at some €1,100. This is way above what many families can afford. Some 68% of families report that these costs have created significant financial stress. Some 60% of parents report being unable to access appropriate supports for their children due to the lack of funds.

The situation with dyslexia for anybody who has been involved for any period of time in the education world is really serious. Highly intelligent persons are being denied access to proper education. The dyslexia association does a significant job around this country and by cutting off funding, we are cutting off its ability to fund branches which provide services and information locally. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to whom I refer, Deputy Kelly, if he will review this funding and report back to this House as quickly as possible. If it is all right, at some stage in the not too distant future I will also table a Commencement debate matter on this with the Minister for Education and Skills. In this particular instance, it is the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government I wish to review the scheme to support national organisations, SSNO, funding.

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