Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 582: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a mainstream school place will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [34292/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which became operational on 1 January 2005, now processes applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. The council has a local area presence through a network of more than 70 special educational needs organisers, SENOs, who are responsible for co-ordinating and facilitating delivery of educational services to children with disabilities at local level. Any parents experiencing difficulty in securing an appropriate placement for their children should make contact with their local SENO in the first instance.

The pupil referred to by the Deputy is in a special class for autism in a mainstream national school. His parents wish to have him enrolled in a mainstream school with supports. My officials have been in contact with the NCSE regarding the matter. The local SENO has been in contact with the relevant parties and arrangements are being made to arrange a case conference to consider the pupil's placement. The school authorities will be notified accordingly.