Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2006

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

8:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 710: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take to ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow receives State funding and does not close on 31 March 2006. [10478/06]

Photo of Paul GogartyPaul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 763: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the work being carried out by a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the reason the Department has refused to sanction and provide funding for the pre-school run by a school to cater for an additional nine children, in view of the expertise that has built up and the success of the school to date; if she plans to reverse this decision; if not, the plans which are in place to cater for the nine additional unsanctioned children service for whom is due to be withdrawn by the school on 31 March 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10404/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 763 together.

The Department of Education and Science, in the first instance, is most anxious that all children, including children with autistic spectrum disorders receive an education appropriate to their needs. In this regard, the preferred approach to the provision of appropriate education for all children, including children with autism, is through the primary and post-primary school network, whether through placement in mainstream classes, special classes or special schools.

The Department of Education and Science also supports an eclectic approach in regard to the education of children with autism where a range of teaching methods are available, for example, treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children, TEACH, applied behavioural analysis, ABA, and picture exchange communication system, PECS. In this regard, it should be noted that none of the early intervention and pre-school resources sanctioned for St. Catherine's is classified by the Department of Education and Science as dedicated ABA classes.

The National Council for Special Education has today advised the school that a third pre-school/early intervention class for children with autistic spectrum disorders is being sanctioned with immediate effect.

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