Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with special needs who are currently receiving State funded education outside the State; the number of children receiving such education who are on the autistic spectrum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41525/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's records indicate that there are seven children receiving a contribution from my Department towards their education outside the State. Six of these children are on the autistic spectrum.

My Department's ongoing commitment is to ensuring that all children, including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders receive an education appropriate to their needs and in this regard my Department has established: 175 special classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools; 5 special classes for children with Asperger's Syndrome; 16 pre-school classes to facilitate the demand for early intervention provision for children on the autistic spectrum; and 12 stand-alone facilities providing an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) specific methodology on a pilot basis. Approval has also been given for the establishment of a further two such facilities.