Written answers

Tuesday, 7 November 2006

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

8:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will fund and assist a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will work with the families on this matter. [36391/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an early intervention class for children with autism was recently sanctioned in the school in question. This class provides pupil-specific approach to the education of children with autism drawing on a range of teaching methods, including ABA, specific to the needs of individual pupils. The Deputy will be familiar with the variety of current provision in this regard which includes early intervention classes for children with autism, special classes for children with autism attached to special schools and mainstream schools, special classes for Asperger's syndrome plus a range of supports for pupils with autism integrated in mainstream classes.

A pilot scheme facilitated the establishment of 12 ABA units nationwide and an application from the group referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will meet a delegation (details supplied); and if she will work with them on providing services for children with autism. [36392/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary 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 where children can mix with their wider peer group and have maximum opportunities for integration. 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. The Deputy will be familiar with the variety of current provision in this regard which includes pre-school classes for children with autism, special classes for children with autism attached to special schools and mainstream schools, special classes for Asperger's syndrome plus a range of supports for pupils with autism integrated in mainstream classes. A pilot scheme facilitated the establishment of 12 specific autism units and these are represented under the umbrella organisation of Irish Autism Action.

I did in fact meet with representatives from Irish Autism Action earlier in the year subsequent to a series of meetings between officials from my Department and representatives of Irish Autism Action. Full consideration will be given to the points raised at the meeting.

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