As Members may be aware, October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. To mark the start of it, Dyslexia Ireland surveyed more than 900 teachers, parents and students on what changes they wanted to see. The survey found that a lack of teacher training about dyslexia is the single biggest barrier facing dyslexic children in Ireland today. It is estimated that one in ten have some form of dyslexia and this issue affects approximately 100,000 students across the country in primary, secondary and higher education.

The results of the survey showed that both parents and teachers feel this issue should be addressed in a similar way, with 94% of the parents and 82% of the teachers saying they want mandatory training for every teacher in Ireland, the single biggest policy request from both groups. Some 60% of teachers said they do not know the best reading or spelling programme to use to support the children. Some 89% of parents said teachers are not sufficiently trained to support them. Some 68% of dyslexic young people said a lack of knowledge of dyslexia by teachers was one of the biggest challenges they face, ranking it above exam supports, diagnosis delays and public awareness. Given the numbers impacted, it is clear this issue needs action by the Department of Education and Youth and I would be grateful if the Leader of the House would raise it with the Minister, Deputy Naughton.