Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1643: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on correspondence regarding a child (details supplied) in County Kildare with dyslexia; if he will ensure that the educational requirements of this child will be met in view of their particular circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29307/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the general allocation system was introduced in schools in September 2005, under which schools were provided with resource teaching hours, based on their enrolment figures, to cater for children with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia and those with learning support needs.

It is a matter for the school authorities to determine how these hours are utilised to support eligible pupils, including the pupil in question. Research shows that some pupils with learning needs will respond better with one-to-one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource/learning support teachers to work with pupils in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the pupils then have to catch up on work done by the rest of the class in their absence.