Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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384. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if clarity will be provided in relation to the position of children with dyslexia (details supplied). [61223/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that in May 2021 I requested my Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools.

The review will be informed by the Department's Inspectorate’s research and development work which facilitates thematic review of provision and practice in schools. The work will involve visits to a number of education settings for children with specific learning disabilities and the gathering of evidence in line with the normal Inspectorate inspection model.

It is expected that the Inspectorate's work will be completed during the period October to December 2021, with composite findings becoming available thereafter which will be published.

These findings, together with any relevant recommendations emerging from the NCSE Policy Advice on Special Classes and Special Schools currently in development, will be considered at that stage to determine the actions required to finalise the review.

The outcome of this work will inform future Department policy on supporting children with special educational needs particularly in relation to reading and literacy.

It is important to note at this stage that my Department has not received any recommendations regarding the closure of any special school.