Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if urgent assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 to obtain a pre-school place and also to secure a school place soon; and the reason for the delay in granting services. [12579/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the school concerned has provided specific advice to the parent concerning a possible pre-school placement. It is open to the parent to contact the National Council for Special Education through the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, who now has responsibility for school placements. Contact details for the relevant SENO are available on my Department's website, www.education.ie. My officials have been advised that the child in question is currently attending a Montessori school.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the facilities in place and her Department's proposals to provide for the second level education needs of young persons on the autistic spectrum in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12587/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is already supporting the education of individual students with autism in various second level schools throughout the country. Discussions are taking place with the management authorities of a small number of schools with a view to establishing second level provision for groups of children with autism who are now coming to a transition stage and are about to move from primary to second level. Organising such provision is a significant task of the National Council for Special Education.

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has been established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities as set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003. Special educational needs organisers, SENOs, will process resource applications for children with special educational needs. Where a pupil with special educational needs enrols in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply to the local SENO for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil.