Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2006

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

8:00 pm

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 769: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to State funding for a school (details supplied) for children aged between two and 18 years; the reason applications for funding were left unacknowledged by her Department for nine months; the further reason the recommendations of the National Educational Psychological Service that were communicated to her Department in July and August 2005 were never forwarded to the school; the further reason, if the procedures for receiving sanction had changed, the school was not advised of the changes until 1 February 2006; the reason the establishment of the board of management was not an issue for her Department when the school was contacted and asked to establish a post-primary ABA class in August 2005 or when students were enrolled into the special school in September 2005; the reason the school has been advised by her Department to apply for training grants only to be refused on two occasions; the further reason her Department funds other ABA schools and not that school; if these queries will be answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10458/06]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education and Science is anxious that all children, including children with autistic spectrum disorders, receive a form of education that is appropriate to their needs. 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 supports an eclectic approach to the education of children with autism where a range of teaching methods are available, including treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children, applied behavioural analysis and picture exchange communication system. It should be noted that none of the early intervention pre-school resources sanctioned to St. Catherine's special school are classified as dedicated applied behavioural analysis classes. A fully constituted board of management has been established in St. Catherine's special school. The Deputy will appreciate the importance of all schools complying with the requirements of the Education Acts. The Department did not ask the school to establish a post-primary applied behavioural analysis facility.

The National Council for Special Education advised the school today that a third pre-school early intervention class for children with autistic spectrum disorders is being sanctioned with immediate effect. There have been ongoing discussions with the school authorities about this application. The discussions included the National Council for Special Education and the National Educational Psychological Service. The Deputy has suggested that changes in procedures governing sanction of resources for pupils with special needs were not communicated to St. Catherine's special school. All schools, including special schools, were advised in this regard in circular Sp. Ed. 01/05. The Department supports the training and professional development of staff working with children with special educational needs through the special education support service. St. Catherine's special school applied to the service to fund the salary costs of two people working in the school, which was not in their remit.

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