Fianna Fáil Senator and long-standing advocate for children with dyslexia, Lorraine Clifford-Lee has called for a significant expansion of reading schools and reading classes nationwide, highlighting the urgent need to better support students needing specialist education due to severe dyslexia.
Speaking this week in the Seanad by way of Commencement Matter, she highlighted there are only four dedicated reading schools operating nationally and very few reading classes within mainstream schools.
To get a place in a reading class or reading school, children must have completed second class or be at least eight years old before and to be on the 1st or 2nd percentile for their age group for literacy.
The Senator stated she knows from her own constituency about the challenges and heartbreak parents face when they can’t access the education support they need.
“I know from conversations in my own constituency with parents that there are children who need access to specialised education. If are not be proactive on this issue children will be adversely affected, and their lives will be adversely affected due to there being inadequate places,” she said.
“There is very little availability of reading classes and reading schools. Demand far outstrips availability. The children that qualify for this need intensive, literacy focused specialised focus for two years to improve their literacy. Supports in mainstream education is not sufficient as they have severe dyslexia. We are failing children with dyslexia, and we need a serious look at the provision nationally.
“Early identification and intervention are critical. We must provide these children and their families with certainty. They deserve it,” she added.
Senator Clifford-Lee acknowledged the important groundwork laid by the Taoiseach during his time as Minister for Education, when reading classes were first introduced.
“The introduction of reading classes was a progressive and positive step. It demonstrated a clear understanding of the challenges facing children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. However, they have been neglected since. We now need to build on that foundation and expand reading schools and classes across the country to meet growing demand.”
Responding to the engagement on the issue, Minister Moynihan confirmed that he is currently working closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the Department of Education on a report examining how best to support people with dyslexia.
Clifford-Lee welcomed this development, stating: “I very much welcome Minister Moynihan’s confirmation that work is underway with the NCSE and the Department. This is an important step forward, and I appreciate the Minister’s engagement on the issue.
ENDS