Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department favours the school based educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders or if home tuition is regarded as a more appropriate educational environment for such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12275/07]

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, through the home tuition scheme facilitates tuition for children with autism awaiting a suitable educational placement and early education intervention for pre-school children with autism by providing funding to parents to facilitate the provision of education at home.

The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, receive an education appropriate to their needs, preferably through the primary and post-primary school network. In this regard my Department has established: 182 Special Classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools; 5 special Classes for children with Asperger's Syndrome; 18 pre-school classes to facilitate the demand for early intervention provision for children on the autistic spectrum; and 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).

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the introduction of school based educational provision for the special class at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare during the month of June 2007 as opposed to the month of July 2007 on a pilot project basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12276/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As I have previously advised the Deputy, my Department's support package for the July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism who choose to extend their education services through the month of July. The Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. The package includes special nationally agreed rates of remuneration for teachers and special needs assistants involved in the July Programme. Participating schools also receive a special rate of capitation funding in respect of pupils participating in the programme. Funding is also available to facilitate the provision of school transport and escort services for the children.

All relevant schools are encouraged to participate in this initiative in the interest of the children in question. If schools are not participating in the July Education Programme, home tuition is offered as an alternative for the pupils who would normally attend such schools.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the programme is currently being reviewed and all proposals will be considered in this context.