Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 609: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the estimated yearly cost to her Department of the 14 ABA schools that have been recognised by her Department; the number of such schools that have applied for and are awaiting recognition; the estimated yearly cost that would be incurred by her Department if these schools were recognised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12800/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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's 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 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).

In this regard my Department has established:

186 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;

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

I wish to advise the Deputy that approximately €7.6 million was spent by my Department in 2006 to cover the costs of the 12 ABA stand-alone facilities, which were established on a pilot basis. My Department is currently considering 11 applications for inclusion in the scheme. Estimated costs associated with expanding the scheme would be subject to numbers and circumstances involved.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 610: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will make a decision on an application for recognition of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick which caters for children with autism in the mid-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12801/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's 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 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).

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:

186 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;

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

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.