Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1261: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the help which is available from her Department for children diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, including both school based and home based support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28589/06]

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 Asperger's Syndrome receive an education appropriate to their needs. In this regard my Department has established 5 classes specifically to cater for children with Asperger's Syndrome. In addition to this pupils with Asperger's Syndrome who are fully integrated into mainstream school receive individual teaching support for a number of hours per week as well as support from special needs assistants and specialist equipment if required.

The Deputy is aware that a specific function of the National Council for Special Education (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 NCSE, through the SENOs, will continue to develop and co-ordinate additional provision, where necessary.

The home tuition scheme is designed to provide compensatory instruction for pupils with medical ailments which cause major disruption to their attendance at school on a continuing basis. Home tuition is sanctioned where a child cannot attend school at all or where the child is absent for a significant proportion of the school year due to illness. The scheme has also facilitated provision of tuition for pupils awaiting a suitable school placement.