Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has received an application for funding from a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow to enable the school to provide an additional ABA service; the situation regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5807/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department and the National Council for Special Education met with representatives of the school referred to by the Deputy on Wednesday, 1 February to discuss a range of issues. Following this meeting a comprehensive letter issued on 8 February to the school representatives outlining the Department's and NCSE's position on the various matters discussed at the meeting. The Department's letter covered a number of matters such as the need for a board of management, the process for applying for sanction for further classes for children with ASD, training and qualifications of staff and other issues.

It is now a matter for the school to proceed in accordance with the process that has been outlined to it in the letter of 8 February. This process involves making application for additional classes for children with ASD through the local special educational needs organiser.

It will be a matter for the NCSE to process the application and in doing so to seek whatever additional information it requires from the school to enable it to make an informed decision. The NCSE can seek advice if required from my Department on the application. Factors such as the needs of the individual children, levels of existing provision in the area and geographical location of the proposed attendees are matters that the NCSE will need to consider in processing the application.

I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education for children with autism 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.