What is the Government's policy on the use of reading schools and reading classes in our education system? Reading schools are special schools with low pupil-teacher ratios that are designed to meet the needs of children with severe dyslexia. Due to their success, a number of reading classes have been set up. These are attached to mainstream primary schools and perform the same function. Countless parents I have spoken to have referred to the benefits their children have gained from reading classes. However, the NCSE has put in place a moratorium on the setting up of new reading schools. As the Minister, Deputy Chambers, is aware, the NCSE blocked the creation of a new reading class at St. Francis Xavier school in Blanchardstown. A constituent of ours had to go as far as suing the Department of Education in the High Court in order to get access to a reading school. There is no reference to reading schools, reading classes or dyslexia in the programme for Government. What is the policy?

Sentiment score: 0.04