Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 1420: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who has special needs is not receiving appropriate education; if she will provide one to one tuition for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43764/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The pupil referred to by the Deputy is currently enrolled in a special class with a pupil teacher ratio of 6:1. I understand that the pupil also has the support of an individual special needs assistant (SNA) and there is another SNA and a careworker based in the class. The pupil is availing of the maximum support possible and I understand that the school is satisfied that the pupil has been allocated adequate resources.

As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENO), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special needs supports. My officials have been in contact with the local SENO who has not received any application for additional resources for this pupil.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 1421: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the role of the National Council for Special Education and the National Educational Psychological Service in relation to proposals for the development of a new ABACUS school in Dundalk, County Louth; the service which is responsible for assessing applicants for places in such schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43776/06]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 1435: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the role of the National Council for Special Education and the National Educational Psychological Service in relation to proposals for the development of a new ABACUS school in Dundalk, County Louth; the aforementioned services that are responsible for assessing applicants for places in such schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43959/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1421 and 1435 together.

My Department is of the view that children with autism, in common with all children should have access to appropriate provision delivered by suitably qualified teachers within the school system where children can mix with their wider peer group and have maximum opportunities for integration. The preferred approach to the provision of appropriate education for children with autism, is through the primary and post primary school network, whether through placement in mainstream classes, in special classes or in special schools, a view that is supported by the findings of the Task Force Report on Autism. My Department's ongoing commitment is to ensuring that all children, including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, receive an education appropriate to their needs.

An application received from the group referred to by the Deputy to participate in the pilot scheme, which has facilitated the establishment of a number of ABA-specific units nationwide, is under consideration by officials in my Department.

In processing applications for stand-alone facilities, my Department refer the professional reports of the children proposed to be enrolled in the stand-alone facility to the National Educational Psychological Service. This is to ensure that the children concerned will be appropriately placed.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) came into operation on 1st January 2005. The NCSE has a network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), whose role extends to ensuring that there is sufficient provision available within the primary and post-primary sector for all children with special educational needs.