Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

It is our intention to extend a system throughout the country which meets the needs of children but it is not our intention to run parallel systems. Parents of children in mainstream schools also express great satisfaction and particularly parents of children in autistic units. Obviously we have to ensure the needs of individual children are met. Teachers are being trained in PECS, TEACCH and ABA. We have had some good discussions with the autism groups which I met recently. They are meeting with officials of my Department to see how we can work in conjunction with them, knowing they have the best interests of their children at heart. I accept it is extremely difficult for parents of children with autism. This places a considerable amount of individual and personal pressures on them, which is why I am particularly anxious to ensure we can roll out an even greater service than that which is currently available.

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