Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1676: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria used in deciding whether to approve funding for ABA schools for children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2293/07]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1677: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been made on an application for funding for an ABA school (details supplied) for children with autism in Limerick; if not, when she expects to decide on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2295/07]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1676 and 1677 together.

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. My Department supports a multi-skills approach in regard to the education of children with autism where a range of teaching methods are available e.g. Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). This ensures that a range of teaching methods can be applied specifically to the needs of individual pupils. In this regard my Department has established:

180 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.

14 Stand Alone facilities providing an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) specific methodology on a pilot basis — 2 of these facilities have yet to be established.

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. Pupils with autism 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. As a further support, many smaller schools which have autism units can now have an administrative principal to assist with the establishment and running of specialist intervention locally.

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.

I can confirm that my Department received an application from a group in Limerick for funding to establish an ABA facility under the pilot scheme. The application is being considered in the context of all such applications. It is expected that a decision on this application will be made shortly.