Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Education and Science is unavailable as she has been in the other House. I can understand the frustration of the Senator if correspondence has not been dealt with appropriately and I am sure this would not have the support of the Minister for Education and Science, who is known in both Houses as a person of exemplary courtesy and concern, particularly on issues relating to children. I will bring the concerns of the Senator to her attention.

A number of children with autism are currently being catered for in integrated settings in mainstream schools with relevant supports or in St. Laserian's special school in Carlow. A number of autistic children are travelling to schools outside the area and school transport is being provided for these children by the Department of Education and Science. Other children with autism awaiting suitable school placements are in receipt of home tuition grants, on an interim basis.

The Department of Education and Science has, however, been aware for some time of the necessity to develop additional educational provision for autistic children in the area and, in this context, the preference is to provide school-based autism provision through the establishment of special classes attached to existing primary schools. Following a submission to the Department from a local parents' representative group, the Carlow Autism Awareness Network, regarding educational provision for their autistic children, efforts have been made by officials in the Department to source a suitable primary school in Carlow that would be prepared to host the establishment of one or more special autism classes. In this regard, consultations began with the board of management of a school in the Carlow area in regard to a proposal to set up a class in the school. Following lengthy discussions, the school authorities confirmed that they were not in a position to set up such a class at present.

The Department then wrote to patrons of the Catholic and Church of Ireland schools, and also to the development officer of the Educate Together schools, outlining to them the request from parents in Carlow. They were asked if they were aware of any of the schools under their patronage that may be interested in setting up special educational facilities for children with autism. Further assessment of two other possible host schools in the area, including meetings with the relevant schools authorities, took place. Efforts in this regard are continuing. To this effect, officials from the Department will be in contact with all of the relevant parties in the coming weeks to consider the most appropriate way forward to progress the development of additional educational provision for autistic pupils in County Carlow.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Senator. I will bring his comments regarding the inappropriate manner in which correspondence was treated to the Minister's attention.