Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve an ABA school for autistic children in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6403/08]

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 special needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and postprimary 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 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 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.

My Department is currently funding a number of ABA pilot schemes which were 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, including Co. Kerry, 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. However, now that a national network of special classes is available, new centres will not be brought into the pilot programme. My Department is determined to ensure that each child has access to the autism-specific education that is now being made available to schools throughout the country.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in primary schools on 31 January 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6074/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The total number of Special Needs Assistants employed in primary schools and paid through my Department's payroll in January 2008 was 8,038 (whole time equivalents).