Workshop Guide

The DAI workshop network is made up of 23 workshops across Ireland. You can see where these workshops are located on our Workshops Map where you will also find contact details and information on where (location) and when (days, dates and times) your local Workshop is held.

What is a DAI Workshop?

The DAI Workshops offer specialist, individual tuition in small groups to students with dyslexia (including the emotional and confidence aspects of dyslexia). Every Workshop has classes for primary students (8+) and some offer classes for secondary level students. A Workshop normally runs for two hours, once a week, during the autumn and spring terms. The tutors are qualified teachers who have undertaken additional training in teaching methods best suited to teaching students with dyslexia. There are currently 23 Workshops nationwide.

The Workshop also provides support and advice for parents/guardians of the students attending. You can get greater insight into how a Workshop operates by looking at the video on our Rush/Lusk/Skerries Workshop we have included below. Our workshop Educational Programme Guidelines will also give you a deeper understanding of what is covered. Workshops, in line with all DAI services, are run in compliance with the governance standards set down by the Charities Regulatory Authority and comply with all relevant legislation including child protection and safeguarding, vetting, health and safety, and all other legal and best practice requirements. See our Governance section for more details on our governance and policies.

Applying for a Workshop place for 2023-24

DAI Membership: In order to apply for a place in a DAI Workshop your DAI membership must be up-to-date (you will need your membership number to complete the application form).

• If you wish to renew your DAI membership or become a member go to DAI Membership.
• If you have forgotten your membership number please email membership@dyslexia.ie.

To complete the application form you will also need either the psychological assessment report or evidence from the school confirming that your young person is dyslexic. You need to be on a device where you can access these documents to upload them, so it is often best to do this on a computer rather than a phone. You may upload up to 3 files. The maximum file size for each is 256MB, and the accepted file formats are: pdf, doc, jpg, gif and png.

Returning Students

If your young person attended the workshop in 2022-23 and wishes to return for the 2023-24 year, please complete the Returning Student’s Workshop Application Form 2023-24. Once you have submitted this form, your young person’s place in the workshop will be retained, and you will receive an email confirmation. The Workshop Coordinator will be in contact with further details in late August/early September before the new term starts. See below for details on workshop fees.

New Students

If your young person has not attended the DAI workshop previously, please complete the New Student’s Workshop Application Form 2023-24. See below for details on workshop fees.

New Students Application Process: Your application will be reviewed by the local DAI workshop coordinator in late August/early September.

• If there is a place available in your young person’s age/class group, you will be contacted by the coordinator then with details on the start dates, times, fees, etc.
• If there is no place available at the time, the Coordinator will contact you confirming that your young person is on the waiting list and will be given a place as soon as possible.

Fees and Payment:

• The average fee for 2022-2023 worked out at €30 per evening/morning i.e. €360 for each 12 week term and there are two terms each year. The precise fees for 2023-2024 will be confirmed when the workshops resume in autumn 2023.
• All fees must be paid in full before the end of each term.
• Payment requests (statements & invoices) will be emailed to you after the start of each term.
• If you are experiencing financial challenges you can apply for Fee Support. You can do so by submitting the DAI Workshop Fee Support Form; the eligibility criteria is explained on the form.

The DAI Workshop – What the Workshop fees fund

DAI is a not-for-profit organisation.

Each DAI Workshop is self-financing. This means that workshop fees are set to cover the service delivery costs.

The Workshop finances comprise two parts: basic service delivery costs and educational development costs. The former is covered by fee income, the latter has to be fundraised. In addition, money fundraised is used to facilitate reduced rates for families experiencing financial hardship and sibling subsidies.

You can see the basic running costs of an average Workshop in the example below. This is based on a 12-week term, term fee of €360, with 24 students, 1 coordinator and 4 tutors. All workshop staff are qualified teachers who have undertaken additional training in teaching methods best suited to teaching students with dyslexia.

Video on our Rush/Lusk/Skerries Workshop