Dyslexia Association of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Dyslexia Association of Ireland

Date published 17 Sep, 2019

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 May, 2019 to 31 Aug, 2019

Specific Details Advocating on changes to the proposed criteria for Exemption from Irish in relation to dyslexia

Intended results To ensure that any changes made to the criteria for Irish exemption would reflect the evidence base on dyslexia and the needs of learners with dyslexia.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Rosie Bissett, CEO, Dyslexia Association of Ireland, plus other DAI staff (Donald Ewing and Amy Smyth)

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Meeting attended by DAI with DES officials, the Inspectorate and representatives from NEPS. DAI raised our concerns with aspects of the proposed changes re Irish exemption. In particular, we welcomed the removal of the IQ requirement, stressed the need for an independent appeals process to be included, stressed the need to include more literacy measures as evidence of need to reflect the spectrum of dyslexia and strongly questioned the rationale for waiting until 3rd class as this promotes a wait to fail model and risks damaging the mental health and self-esteem of students with significant dyslexia.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Harold Hislop Chief Inspector (Department of Education and Skills)