Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications she has received for the establishment of specialised primary schools for children with special needs since being appointed Minister in 2004; the number of such projects she has approved in this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4778/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools were revised in 2002 based on the recommendations of a report of the Commission on School Accommodation, on which the Education Partners were represented.

Applications for the recognition of new primary schools are assessed by an independent advisory board (the New Schools Advisory Committee) on the basis of the facts provided by the patron body in support of the case for the new school and the likely demand for places. Schools are granted provisional recognition and permanent recognition follows when long term viability has been established on actual enrolments over a period.

The information sought is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. Officials of the School Planning Section of the Department are currently compiling the requested data and this will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average timeframe for her Department to process and decide on an application to establish a specialised primary school to cater for children with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4779/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools were revised in 2002 based on the recommendations of a report of the Commission on School Accommodation, on which the Education Partners were represented. Applications for the recognition of new primary schools are assessed by an independent advisory board (the New Schools Advisory Committee) on the basis of the facts provided by the patron body in support of the case for the new school and the likely demand for places. Schools are granted provisional recognition and permanent recognition follows when long term viability has been established on actual enrolments over a period.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the services and supports provided by her Department to children on the autistic spectrum across the northside of Dublin city and in Fingal county; and the way provision will be made for the 60 children and families on the waiting list for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [4793/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides a wide range of supports and additional resources to support children who have been assessed as having special educational needs, including autism. These services are determined by the type of special educational need but include additional teaching support where a child is fully integrated into a mainstream school, reduced pupil-teacher-ratios where the child is in a special class attached to a mainstream school or a special school; special needs assistant support for a child who has care needs; assistive technology where this is recommended; specialist equipment such as modified desks and chairs as required; and specially adapted school buildings where necessary. In addition enhanced levels of capitation are available to special schools and mainstream schools with special classes.

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.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is now operational. A specific function of the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is to identify appropriate educational placement for all children with special educational needs. The SENO is a focal point of contact for parents and schools. It is open to the parent to contact the SENO directly regarding the child's needs. Contact details for the SENO may be sourced from the NCSE at (046) 9486400. Alternatively, these details may be accessed on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.

Officials in my Department will arrange to have the information regarding the number of classes on the northside of Dublin City and in Fingal County sent directly to the Deputy.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the funding and supports needed by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and the reason a promised response to this school's parents committee has not been forthcoming. [4794/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An application received from the group referred to by the Deputy to participate in the pilot scheme, which has facilitated the establishment of a number of ABA-specific units nationwide, is under consideration by officials in my Department.

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.

In this regard my Department has established:

181 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.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with special needs who are currently in primary education; her proposals to put in place a secondary school system for these children when they reach the age of 14; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4800/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the information regarding the number of children diagnosed with special educational needs who are currently in primary education is not readily available in my Department. This information will be available on the completion by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) of a nationwide database of all children with special educational needs which it is currently compiling.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education has been established. A specific function of the Council, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is to identify appropriate educational placements for all children with special educational needs, including those transferring to the post primary school system.

It is open to a parent to contact the local SENO should they have any queries concerning the availability of special educational needs provision in a particular area. The SENO may be contacted through the National Council for Special Education, 1-2 Mill Street, Trim, Co. Meath and contact details are also available on the NCSE website, www.ncse.ie.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 530: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with special needs who are in primary education in the Cork city and county area; the number of occupational therapists and speech therapists that are available to these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4801/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought in respect of the number of children with special needs who are in primary education in the Cork City and County area is not readily available in my Department. Following the introduction of the general allocation model, primary schools do not need to apply to my Department for support for children with high incidence special educational needs.

I can also confirm that therapy services in respect of these children are a matter for the Health Services Executive.