Moynihan welcomes changes to how dyslexia is supported within Irish education system

Fianna Fáil TD Shane Moynihan has welcomed news that the Department of Education is examining changes to how children with dyslexia are supported.

The Dublin Mid-West TD has been on record as saying that children with significant literacy difficulties need access to more intensive support.

The Fianna Fáil TD said that the need for reform was particularly clear in his constituency of Dublin Mid-West, where there is currently no dedicated reading class or specialist reading school for children who require more intensive literacy support.

“For a condition affecting around one in ten people, we need to ask whether the scale of that provision is sufficient and whether families across the country have a realistic opportunity to access it. This number grows when we include other speech, language and communication difficulties,” he told the Dáil.

In response, junior minister Michael Moynihan confirmed that the Department is re-examining its current policy, and is also developing a new measure to provide enhanced supports in mainstream schools for students with literacy difficulties.

Moynihan said that work needs to progress “quickly,” and that the government could not rest on its laurels on this issue.

“The objective has to be that a child’s dyslexia does not prevent them from accessing the curriculum or reaching their potential simply because the right level of support is not available where they live,” he said.

Minister Moynihan also confirmed to the Dublin Mid-West TD that more than 15,200 special education teachers will work in mainstream primary and post-primary schools in the 2026/2027 school year.

He told the Dáil that supports for children with dyslexia and additional literacy needs are an area in which reform is required and confirmed that he is engaging with the Department itself, officials and advocacy organisations on the changes needed.

Minister Moynihan also confirmed that he is working on a new measure to provide enhanced supports in mainstream schools for students experiencing literacy difficulties and expects to update the Dáil on the measure soon.