Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 783: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when her Department will be in a position to provide the remaining braille books to a visually impaired person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; the reason the delay in the provision of the books; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20643/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Braille Production Centre (NBPC), an integral part of the services provided by St. Joseph's School for the Visually Impaired in Drumcondra, Dublin, was established in 2000 to provide blind/visually impaired pupils at first and second level with textbooks in braille and other alternative formats. The NBPC produces educational materials in braille, large print format and text only for children who are blind or visually impaired. It is an essential service to children and young people who are blind or visually impaired and without it many of them would not be able to access mainstream education or be able to undertake the Junior and Senior Cycle examinations.

My Department's Visiting Teacher Service for the Visually Impaired (VTVI) has a significant role to play in the process of ordering books or materials on behalf of a particular pupil/student. In 2006, a protocol was agreed between the NBPC and the VTVI regarding the provision of educational materials in alternative formats.

Due to the technical processes involved, the NBPC requires a significant notice period in relation to orders for the materials in question. In this particular case, the order was placed in July 2007. A significant proportion of the books required has already been made available for the pupil. I understand that, taking the special circumstances of this particular case into consideration, the NBPC are working towards having the order for the remaining books completed by the end of the current school term. It is accepted practice that the Braille books are delivered in volumes throughout the school year, due to the lengthy transcription process.

I also understand that officials from the NBPC have been in contact with the parents of the pupil referred to by the Deputy and have invited them to a meeting in their Head Office to discuss their concerns.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 784: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will estimate the number of students awaiting placement in ABA primary schools in the Dublin 24 area; the action she is taking to address the waiting list for placement in such schools in view of the considerable demand that exists for such a placement; the average waiting time for the children who are currently waiting for a placement in such schools from the Dublin 24 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20645/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for the establishment of special classes for autism and for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. I have arranged for the Deputy's request for information 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.

My Department's position is 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.

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.

In excess of 250 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country, and the NCSE will continue to establish autism provision where the need arises.