§ Mr. SarwarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has taken to assist dyslexic children in Scotland. [49341]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Government are investing £56 million over 5 years in an Early Intervention Programme to improve basic literacy and numeracy skills in the early years in primary school. This includes £4 million for special educational needs staff training which may include training related to dyslexia. This is in addition to the continuation of the £1.5 million per annum In-Service Special Educational Needs Training Grant for staff at all levels of schooling which may also include training related to dyslexia.
In addition The Scottish Office is engaged in a £30,000 project, announced in December 1997, in partnership with the Scottish Dyslexia Trust which will provide specialist training for up to 165 early years primary teachers on dyslexia awareness and early identification.
Grant will be provided also to the Scottish Dyslexia Forum to run 4 regional seminars in 1998–99 on dyslexia issues for education authority staff in Scotland.