Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the commitment in the new Programme for Government on ABA schools includes those that are awaiting a decision from her Department to grant them recognition under the pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17833/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commitment in this area is for the long term funding for the existing centres that are currently in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable my Department to support them as primary schools for children with autism.

In relation to specific provision for children with autism, my Department considers that as each child with autism is unique, they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. Applied Behavioural Analysis, or ABA, is one of the methods used in special classes for children with autism.

The issue of contention is whether ABA should be the only method used in some settings. Advice received from international experts on autism, NEPS and the Inspectorate inform my Department's view that a range of approaches should be used, rather than just one. An analysis of research — including the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism — supports this approach too, while Autism societies in other countries also caution against relying on just one method.

By enabling children in special autism-specific classes to have access to a range of methods, including ABA, my Department is doing what we are advised is in the best interests of such children. In addition, children in special classes have the benefit of fully-qualified teachers who are trained in educating and developing children generally and who have access to additional training in autism-specific approaches, including ABA. The level of such training available to teachers has improved dramatically in recent years and is a major priority for the Government. Children in special classes also have the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration into mainstream classes and of interaction with other pupils.

The National Council for Special Education will continue to expand the number of special classes for children with autism to meet demand.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the process by which a parent who wishes to transfer their dyslexic child from a special school to a mainstream school can do so; and if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [17838/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

In general, it is a matter for the parents of the child concerned to apply to enrol their child in their local national school.