Report of the Task Group on Dyslexia THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

As Minister for Education, one of my key priorities is special education. I believe strongly that all children should have the opportunity to achieve to their full potential, and that how we provide for the needs of those children who need extra help is a measure against which our education system should be judged. Within special education, I am continually impressed and heartened by the wealth of dedication, love, imagination and skill which teachers bring, day and daily, to their work with children, both in special schools and units and in mainstream classes. I believe that this expertise needs to be shared more widely within education; but also there is much more which needs to be done. Our focus on dyslexia and autism reflects the fact that research shows that these are under-reported and underdeveloped aspects of special needs. These are issues which are of concern throughout Ireland. When the North-South Ministerial Council was established, special education was an immediate priority for both our Education Departments, and we decided tha