Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Burton for raising this issue. I will be replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin.

The House will be aware of the commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism, receive an education appropriate to their needs. I therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss the opening of the special classes for autism in Castleknock Educate Together School in Dublin 15.

As the Deputy will be aware, the preferred approach of the Department of Education and Science is that children with autism receive the appropriate education through the primary and post-primary school network. I am pleased to report that in the past year alone more than 75 autism-specific classes were sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, to cater for pupils with autism, bringing the total now sanctioned to more than 275. A specific function of the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is to identify appropriate educational placement for all children with special educational needs. I can confirm that the SENO with responsibility for the school in question has approved staffing for one special class for autism and is considering approval of a second class in the school to meet demand. The NCSE continues to establish additional autism classes where the need arises in both special and mainstream primary and post-primary schools.

The Deputy may be aware that the recently completed building project in Castleknock Educate Together school incorporates accommodation for the autism unit. Additional supports available from the Department for special classes for pupils with autism include start-up and enhanced capitation grants, and the school authorities in question have been advised accordingly. In addition, extra training support for staff engaged in education provision for children with autism can be accessed through the special education support service. This service will, as appropriate, consolidate, co-ordinate, develop and deliver a range of professional development initiatives and support structures to the relevant staff.

However, I understand the delay in the opening of the autism classes is associated with concerns the school authorities have surrounding the provision of therapeutic and clinical support for the autism unit which, as the Deputy will be aware, falls within the remit of the HSE. Officials in the Department have raised the concerns of the school with the Health Service Executive and will continue to liaise with the school management authorities in this regard.

The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, shares Deputy Burton's desire to see this purpose built facility for children with autism in Castleknock Educate Together school utilised to full potential and opened without further delay. I thank Deputy Burton for raising the issue. I will bring her comments directly to the attention of the Minister.

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