John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 510: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason children who attend a school (details supplied) in County Kildare and who are autistic have never received an educational assessment and have had no input from the National Education Psychological Services; if children in mainstream schools are given priority in this regard; her plans to correct this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37986/06]

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

All children allocated places in units for children on the Autism Spectrum have been most likely assessed by services provided by HSE prior to entry to these units. I understand that some of the children attending the school identified by the Deputy but residing in his constituency are located in the area covered by HSE South. Health services including ongoing psychological interventions have been traditionally provided for children attending such units from within the designated Primary, Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) areas in which the children reside. Children placed in mainstream classes usually do not have the same access to psychological services and are seen when prioritised by the school principal. Consultation to teachers in autism units in the school identified will continue to be available from NEPS in the current school year on request.