Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in respect of a group (details supplied) that has submitted an application to her Department and the Health Service Executive for full State recognition and appropriate funding for a centre of education for children in County Wicklow with autistic spectrum disorders; if she will ensure that children with autism in County Wicklow are treated equally and given the same opportunities as the hundreds of children with autism attending the 12 ABA schools around the country; if their application can be sanctioned as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37384/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is of the view that children with autism, in common with all children should have access to appropriate provision delivered by suitably qualified teachers within the school system where children can mix with their wider peer group and have maximum opportunities for integration. The preferred approach to the provision of appropriate education for 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, a view that is supported by the findings of the Task Force Report on Autism. My Department's ongoing commitment is to ensuring that all children, including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders receive an education appropriate to their needs.

Additional training supports for staff engaged in the education provision for children with special needs including autism can be accessed through the Special Education Support Service (SESS). The service will, as appropriate, consolidate, co-ordinate, develop and deliver a range of professional development initiatives and support structures to the relevant staff.

An application was recently received from the group in question to participate in the pilot scheme which has facilitated the establishment of a number of ABA-specific autism units nationwide. This application is currently under consideration.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 467: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in special schools in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37385/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The number of Special Need Assistants employed in Special Schools in Co Wexford is 45.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will give the maximum support and finance to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 particularly in respect of students with special needs; and if he will make this a priority issue. [37406/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides a range of supports to second level schools to enable them to cater for students with special educational needs. The supports in question include remedial and additional teaching support, special needs assistant support and funding for the purchase of specialised equipment.

With effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has taken over key functions from the Department of Education and Science in relation to special educational provision. The NCSE was formally established as an independent statutory body on the 1st October 2005 under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2005. The Council acts under the broad policy direction of the Department of Education and Science but has the resources and the remit to play the leading role in the delivery of education services to children with disabilities/special needs.

The NCSE, through the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) will process the relevant application for resources and inform the school of the outcome. It is important to note that in the case of decisions on additional teaching and SNA support, the SENO will outline the process to the school and parents, where appropriate, and will at the end of the process outline the basis on which the decision was made.

The precise model of provision made available at second level will depend on the assessed needs of the pupils involved. Some pupils are capable of attending ordinary classes on an integrated basis with additional teacher and/or special needs assistant support. In other cases, placement in special dedicated classes or units attached to the school may be the more appropriate response. Such special classes operate at significantly reduced pupil teacher ratios. Students attached to these special classes may be facilitated in attending ordinary subject classes on an integrated basis wherever possible.

I am confident that the advent of the NCSE will prove of major benefit in ensuring that all children with special educational needs receive the support they require.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if epilepsy is considered a disability or a medical condition by her Department; if its classification as a disability or medical condition has changed recently; the way her Department's special education needs organisers classify epilepsy; and the way this classification affects children's entitlements to educational supports. [37443/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that epilepsy is considered to be a medical condition. It has come to my Department's attention that there are a small number of children with significant medical conditions attending school, who may not require additional teaching support but who may require support to meet their care needs, in order to ensure their continued attendance. Arising from discussions with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), it has been decided that children with medical conditions may be considered for access to special needs assistant (SNA) support based on their assessed care needs. Not all children with medical conditions will require access to SNA support.

SNA support is provided specifically to address the care needs of pupils with special educational needs. The nature and level of support provided is based on the assessed needs of the individual child having regard to the criteria set out in my Department's circulars. The NCSE, through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs supports from primary and post primary schools.