Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 364: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there is an obligation on the State to provide education for children in their sixth year, similar to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has autism and cannot access a place next year. [13936/06]

Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 365: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the services which will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has autism and is in a lacuna next year as there is no education place available to them. [13937/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.

I understand that the child in question is currently accessing education provision through placement in a pre-school early intervention autism specific class in Scoil Mhuire national school, Ballyboden, Dublin 16. As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is now operational. A specific function of the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is to identify appropriate educational placements for all children with special educational needs, including children with autism. The SENO is a focal point of contact for parents and schools. My officials have liaised with the local SENO in the context of the child referred to by the Deputy. The parents of the child in question should make contact with the relevant SENO who can assist in accessing an appropriate educational placement for the child. Contact with the relevant SENO can be made by contacting the NCSE at 046-9486400 or alternatively by accessing the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.