John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with autism or an autism spectrum disorder within mainstream primary education; the number of these children in receipt of five hours SET support per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7887/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Arising from the census of special needs provision undertaken by my Department towards the end of 2003, there were 571 pupils with autistic spectrum disorder, ASD, attending mainstream primary schools. In general, this pupil cohort would be eligible for five hours resource teaching support. The census was undertaken in 2003 to ensure that up to date information on children with special educational needs was available to my Department. The establishment of the National Council for Special Education will be of great assistance in ensuring that such information is available on an ongoing basis in the future.