Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1255: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Kildare is fully staffed to meet the requirements of its double autistic unit; when same is likely to be up and running; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25581/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, it is proposed that a double autism unit will be established at the school in question. Appropriate classroom accommodation has been provided in the school for this purpose. My officials have been liaising with the school authorities for some time as regards the resources to be made available to facilitate the operation of the classes. My Department has confirmed that the classes will be capable of catering for up to 12 pupils with autism at a pupil teacher ratio of 6:1. In addition, two full-time special needs assistants, SNAs, will be allocated to each class. Additional SNAs for the classes may be considered on the basis of the individual assessed needs of the pupils enrolled.

The school authorities submitted a request for resources over and above those which are generally provided to schools when establishing such classes. A number of meetings have taken place between the school and officials from the Department with a view to resolving the issues that have been raised by the school. The latest of these meetings took place on 2 June when three officials from the Department met with the school's board of management.

At that meeting it was agreed that the board consider the issues that had been discussed and send its views in writing to the Department. The Department is currently awaiting that submission and on receipt of it will give this matter urgent consideration.

I would add that the Department is anxious that this purpose built facility for children with autism should become operational as soon as possible and it is hoped that the issues raised by the school can be resolved in the near future.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1256: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which she expects to increase the number of resource, remedial and special needs teachers at all schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25582/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Enormous progress has been made in recent years as regards increasing the number of teachers in our schools who are specifically dedicated to providing education for children with special educational needs.

At primary level there are now approximately 5,000 teachers working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.

At second level, there are approximately 1,580 whole time equivalent resource teachers in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to the 200 teachers that were in place in the 1997-98 school year. I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education, ensure that all children with special needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1257: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which she expects to increase the number of special needs assistants at all schools at primary and second levels throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25583/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Enormous progress has been made in recent years as regards increasing the number of special needs assistants, SNAs, in our schools who specifically cater for the care needs of children with special educational needs. At this stage there are approximately 6,304 whole-time equivalent SNAs in our primary and second level schools supporting children with special needs. The National Council for Special Education, through its network of locally based special educational needs organisers, is responsible for processing any applications for additional SNA support that may be received by it from schools.

I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education, to ensure that all children with special needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.