Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

11:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 461: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department has so far refused the necessary funding to provide appropriate educational support for all 16 children currently attending a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if she intends making up the funding shortfall; if so, how soon; her Department's plans for the development of this applied behavioural analysis facility which has a waiting list of five students seeking enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11745/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the national council for special education, NCSE, through the special education needs organiser, sanctioned a third teaching post to the school concerned on 21 March 2006 to facilitate the enrolment of specific named pupils pending further investigation into appropriate education provision for these pupils.

My Department, 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, in special classes or in special schools.

My Department 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 classes sanctioned to the school referred to by the Deputy to cater for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders is classified by my Department as dedicated ABA classes.

I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education for children with autism and, in co-operation with the NCSE, ensure that all children with special needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.

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