Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 567: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the location at which the children it was intended to accommodate in a purpose-built unit located at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare have been accommodated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30653/05]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 568: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the purpose-built building to cater for the needs of children with autistic spectrum disorders located at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare remains unused for the purpose for which it was constructed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30654/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 568 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, it is proposed that a two-classroom autism unit will be established at the school in question. In this regard, appropriate classroom accommodation has been provided in the school for this purpose. This proposed autism unit would be additional to autism provision already in place in the area. This existing provision takes the form of placement of children in mainstream classes with appropriate support, placement in special schools or special classes and placement in stand alone facilities which are funded by the Department of Education and Science.

Department officials have been liaising with the school authorities on to the resources to be made available to facilitate the operation of the classes. The Department of Education and Science 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 individually assessed needs of the pupils enrolled.

The school authorities submitted a request to the Department of Education and Science for resources over and above those generally provided to schools when establishing such classes. Department officials have had a series of meetings with the school authorities to discuss the request. The most recent meeting took place in June 2005. At that meeting it was agreed that the board of management would consider the proposals presented by Department officials and revert to the Department of Education and Science. The Department of Education and Science subsequently wrote to the board on 15 July 2005 clarifying the Department's position and requesting a response from the board. A response is awaited.

The Deputy will be aware that with effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has taken over responsibility for processing resource applications for children with disabilities who have special educational needs including children with autism.

Under the new arrangements, the council, through the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, will process the relevant application for resources and inform the school of the outcome. The SENO will outline the process to the school and parents, where appropriate, and will at the end of the process outline the basis on which the decision was made. I understand the local SENO is liaising with the school authorities regarding the matter referred to by the Deputy.

The Department of Education and Science is anxious that this purpose built facility for children with autism would become operational as soon as possible.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 569: To ask the Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta an bhfuil iarratas faighte ina Roinn le haghaidh méadú agus feabhsú i leith scoile (sonraí tugtha); an bhfuil an t-iarratas á mheas faoi láthair; cén staid ag a bhfuil sé agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30729/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Chuir an scoil dár thagair an Teachta iarratas isteach ar chóiríocht bhreise.

Tá an t-iarratas arna mheasúnú de réir na gcritéar foilsithe um bheartú tosaíochta gur deineadh athbhreithniú orthu anuraidh de thoradh ar dul i gcomhairle leis na páirtnéirí san Oideachas.

Táthar ag breathnú ar an dtionscadal i gcomhthéacs an chláir um fhoirgnimh scoile agus athnuachainte 2005-2009.