Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reasons three autism pre-schools within the Dublin and Meath area are being closed; and if she will make this a priority issue. [16609/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to clarify that my Department never had any plans to close autism pre-schools in the area referred to by the Deputy. My Department had to be satisfied that the qualifications and structure of the pre-schools concerned were sufficiently robust to be able to provide early educational intervention to children with autism who has been approved for funding under the home tuition scheme. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has reached agreement with the provider in question.