Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has officially recognised the condition of dyslexia; the reason her Department has not funded the Dyslexia Association of Ireland in the past; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3391/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department both recognises specific learning disability or dyslexia as a high-incidence special educational need in schools and funds the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. I have given a very high priority to the provision of resources to address the learning difficulties of children with low levels of achievement in reading. As the Deputy is aware, my Department implemented a general allocation system in all primary schools in September 2005 to ensure that every school has learning support/resource teaching support available to meet the needs of children with high-incidence special educational needs, including dyslexia. There are now over 5,500 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special educational needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. In addition, 4 special schools and 23 special classes attached to ordinary primary schools specifically support the needs of children with dyslexia with a reduced pupil/teacher ratio of 9:1 and an increased level of capitation grant. Second level pupils with dyslexia are normally integrated into ordinary classes. In such situations, they may receive additional tutorial support from the remedial/learning support teacher, guidance counsellor and subject teachers. Over 2,300 whole time equivalent teachers support students with special educational needs, including dyslexia, in post-primary schools with 534 of these being learning support teachers.

My Department also provides funding to schools for the purchase of assistive technology such as computers to assist children with special educational needs, including those with dyslexia, with their education once relevant professionals recommend the equipment. Schools can apply to the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) directly for this support. In relation to funding, my Department has been providing the Dyslexia Association of Ireland with annual funding of €63,500 since 1999. This funding helps the organisation operate an information service for members and the public. In addition, part of the funding assists in meeting the costs associated with the attendance of some children from disadvantaged backgrounds at workshops and programmes organised by the association. Furthermore, a grant is awarded annually to the Dyslexia Association of Ireland towards the cost of their adult education activities. The activities funded by the grant include literacy training, pre-course assessment, teaching materials and educational and administrative support. In 2006 a grant of €93,000 was provided to the Association towards this service.