Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1370: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made with regard to a group (details supplied) in County Armagh; the range of services that will be provided initially and in the future; when the centre will be fully operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2143/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland are jointly engaged in the development of the Middletown Centre for Autism in County Armagh. Both Departments have jointly funded the purchase of the former St. Joseph's Adolescent Centre, Middletown, and plan to refurbish the property with a view to developing a centre of excellence for children and young people with autism throughout the island of Ireland. The centre will be dedicated to improving and enriching the educational opportunities of children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders. Four key services will be provided by the centre: a learning support service, on a residential basis; an educational assessment service; a training and advisory service and an autism research and information service. Officials from both Departments are working closely on this project and this interaction between the two Departments will continue over the coming months with a view to ensuring that the centre becomes operational as quickly as possible.