The programme for Government highlights a commitment to focus on actions to improve literacy and numeracy. Dublin Fingal is Ireland's youngest county and Balbriggan, located in my constituency of Dublin Fingal West, is the youngest large town in the country. My constituency's population is rapidly growing, resulting in significant strain on the school system, with long waiting lists for autism classes, special education places and reading class placements. Today, I would like to focus on reading class places. Reading classes provide a low pupil-teacher ratio and are specifically tailored to meet the needs of children with severe dyslexia. I have been contacted by several frustrated and concerned parents whose children, despite demonstrating a clear need for these reading classes and who are really struggling in their current environment, have been denied admission to every reading class in Fingal. Will the Minister please clarify the Government's policy regarding reading classes? Further, what steps will the Government take to ensure that children in urgent need of access to reading classes are accommodated?

I thank Deputy Boland for raising this issue regarding the importance of special education and additional education for those who are beginning their lives in our schools and who need additional support and help. I know the Deputy is aware that we have more than 3,300 special classes available across our country but, out of all those, there are 14 specifically available for children with dyslexia and we have four special schools in the country to deal with the most acute levels of reading difficulty and those who have very severe levels of dyslexia. I will certainly take on board the point that the Deputy made. I know we are looking to find additional ways in which we can support our special schools and special classes. I will raise with the Minister for Education the importance of the issue of dyslexia because we know early intervention can make a big difference and we all know how the gift of reading and being able to do it is such an important passport on one's way through the world. We can help those with dyslexia, who deserve it.