Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It is the Government's priority to continue to expand provision for children with autism. All primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments for their pupils through the various schemes. More than 4,000 such private assessments were funded in the school system last year. The Government has continued to provide resources for this matter in every way possible through the various representative groups for autism with which the Minister keeps in regular contact. Several support programmes to help them exist.

In addition, on the phased implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, in the next few years parents who believe the needs of their child are not being met will have a process of mediation and appeal open to them. This is likely to prove more appropriate and less costly than obliging people to go through the courts, which is certainly not the Government's preferred option. The full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act will help in this regard.

While many other issues arise in respect of autism, I will conclude by raising one more. Students who attend special autism-specific classes have a maximum pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1. A minimum of two special needs assistants are provided——

See this speech in context