Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there are plans to provide State funding for tuition and transport costs for children diagnosed with autism who have to attend private pre-school for children with autism because they cannot access a place on a publicly funded pre-school course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25835/07]

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. The number of early intervention classes for children with autism funded by my Department is increasing. Funding is also provided through the home tuition programme for children with autism aged from 2 1⁄2 years to 5 who are not enrolled in early intervention classes. Up to 3 years of age, a child is funded for ten hours per week early intervention home based programme. This increases to 20 hours per week once the child is 3 years of age.

The terms of School Transport Scheme may only be considered in respect of educational facilities which are recognised by my Department; therefore, the question of providing transport to private pre-schools does not arise.