Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools in the country that have dedicated facilities for children who have autism and Asperger's syndrome; the location of each facility; and the level of funding provided by his Department towards such facilities. [15631/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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To date, 137 special classes have been established to provide dedicated educational support for children with autism. These classes include eight pre-school classes, 68 classes in mainstream national schools, including four classes for children with Asperger's syndrome and 61 classes in special schools.

All such facilities receive enhanced capitation grants and each of these classes operate at a maximum pupil teacher ratio of 6:1. My Department also allocates two special needs assistants to each group of six pupils. Additional special needs assistant support may be allocated on an assessed needs basis. A set-up grant of €6,500 towards the cost of furniture and equipment in each autistic class is also provided. Arrangements will be made to forward the Deputy a complete list of all the classes in the various locations nationwide.