Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the measures being taken to ensure that funding is available for autism support at schools in north Dublin; her proposals for the future funding of schools which provide ABA facilities to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34668/07]

Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grants available for parents of autistic children for home schooling; the grants available for parents who take the initiative to set up their own ABA schools, such as a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34669/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.

The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with special needs, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers who have received additional training in autism, special needs assistants, and the appropriate school curriculum with the option where possible of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils. As each child with autism is unique it is important that teachers can draw from a range of interventions, including ABA, so their pupils' broader needs can be met.

In excess of 275 autism-specific classes have now been sanctioned around the country, including North Dublin, by my Department in conjunction with National Council Special Education (NCSE). The NCSE will sanction additional classes as required. These classes are funded in respect of teacher and special needs assistant salaries and receive grants for equipment and significantly enhanced rates of capitation. In addition, my Department has invested significantly in the provision of autism-specific training courses for teachers of these classes.

My Department does not provide grants for parents who choose to home educate their children outside of the school system or who wish to establish their own schools outside the normal school processes. My Department does provide grants, through the home tuition scheme, to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism.

I am aware that the facility in question has sought inclusion in an expanded pilot scheme which funds a number of facilities for children with autism. This scheme was established in the absence of a network of school-based special classes for children with autism. The Programme for Government commits to the long-term funding for the centres that are currently in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable the Department to support them as primary schools for children with autism. I am pleased to advise that the issue is being actively progressed.

In terms of autism provision in other locations, we will continue to work to ensure that all children can have access to a broad programme, with provision for ABA as appropriate, in special classes.