Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 217: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm funding for an autism support unit for County Mayo in respect of which contact has been made with her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3033/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The request for funding to which the Deputy refers is associated with an application from the organisation in question for inclusion in the Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) pilot programme which is funded by my Department. The pilot programme will not be expanded and applicant groups have been so advised.

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 (IEPs), 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 children have access to a range of methods so their broader needs can be met.

In excess of 275 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level by my Department in conjunction with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), while more are being set up as required. At primary level there are a maximum of six children in each special class with a teacher and at least two special needs assistants. Extra assistants are provided where the children need them on a case by case basis. The pilot programme was established in the absence of this network of special classes in our schools. The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government commits to the long-term funding for the centres that are currently in the ABA pilot programme 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.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 218: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the schools in County Mayo that provide autism specific education for second level students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3034/08]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 219: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the choice open to parents in respect of autistic children in their being sent to schools of parental choice where parents are happy with the level and range and type of education provided for their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3035/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism, receive an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings where children may have access to individualised education programmes (IEPs), fully-qualified professional teachers who have received additional training in autism, special needs assistants, the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils.

This approach promotes the maximum level of inclusion which accords with the intent of the EPSEN Act. While some children may be able to attend a mainstream class at primary or post primary level with or without support, for others the most appropriate provision may be in a special class or unit in the school.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) 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. In excess of 275 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level. The NCSE is continuing to establish classes as required, and has advised that it is planning towards the first ASD class at post primary level in Co. Mayo, provisionally scheduled to open in the 2008/2009 school year.