§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what provision is made by his Department to assist adults with dyslexia; [2446]
(2) what grants are available from his Department for adults with dyslexia; [2447]
(3) what steps he proposes to take to improve access to education and resources for adults with dyslexia; [2448]
(4) what plans he has to improve the funding available for adults with dyslexia. [2450]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department provides financial help to adults with dyslexia in a number of ways of which the following are among the most significant.
In higher education, dyslexic students, who are eligible for a mandatory award from their LEA, may qualify for one or more of the Disabled Student's Allowances available as part of their maintenance grant. The cost of these grants is met in full by my Department. The Department has also provided £28 million to further education colleges and universities for 1997ߝ98 for Further and Higher Education Access Funds. These funds are available to students whose access to further and higher education might be inhibited by financial considerations or who, for whatever reason, including learning difficulties, face financial difficulties.
The Further and Higher Education Funding Councils make some funding available specifically in respect of provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including dyslexia.
There are no current plans for the Department to make additional provision in this area.
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§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funds are available to local authorities to provide grants for adults with dyslexia. [2449]
§ Dr. HowellsThe total education spending allowed for within the revenue support grant settlement for 1997ߝ98 was £18,088 million. It is for individual local authorities to decide how to allocate the funding they receive between and within the services they provide, including whether to make grants available to adults with dyslexia.