Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to ensure that financial aid is given to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who must attend a school for autistic children to undertake the AVA course, and without financial assistance it will not be possible for this person to undertake the necessary course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2942/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Saplings applied behavioural analysis, ABA, facility in Mullingar, which is due to commence operation on 6 February 2006. My officials have received information that indicates that the child in question is currently on the waiting list for this facility and is expected to be among its first pupil intake.

My Department has approved significant funding to facilitate the employment of the necessary staff and to finance the day to day administration and running costs of the facility. My Department has agreed to fund the following posts, namely, a director, a supervisor, one tutor for each child attending the facility and a floating tutor post. It is the responsibility of the management of the facility to recruit the necessary staff.