James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 646: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide funding for a sapling ABA school in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25579/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism receive an education appropriate to their needs, preferably through the primary and post primary school network.

My Department supports an eclectic approach to the education of children with autism where a range of teaching methods can be applied specific to the needs of individual pupils. Provision in this regard in County Clare includes special classes for children with autism attached to special and mainstream schools plus a range of supports for pupils with autism integrated in mainstream classes.

Officials from my Department are meeting this week with parents from the Clare area to further consider provision in the county.