Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department is legally responsible for the provision of supported education for autistic children; and if she will give the Minister for State for Children a role in coordinating the inter-Departmental programme for the supported education of autistic children. [8363/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides for the education of all children, including those with autism, through the provision of home tuition and through the primary and post-primary school network. The Health Service Executive is responsible for the provision of health supports such as therapies to children.

My Department provides for educational provision for children with autism from 21⁄2 years of age up until they leave school. Parents of younger children receive a home tuition grant to enable them to put in place a home programme until the child starts school. My Department has also put in place a number of early intervention classes. In school, depending on each child's abilities, there are options of mainstream, special class placement or a special school placement where children have access to fully qualified teachers, special needs assistant support, assistive technology and specialist equipment if required. Special school transport is also available. Teachers have been, and continue to be, trained in a wide range of autism-specific interventions including TEACCH, PECS and ABA.

There is now a nationwide network of autism-specific education places in place with over 275 special classes approved. This network has been the culmination of much work including the consideration of the available research, the Task Force Report, advice from autism experts, NEPS and the Inspectorate on the provision of education for these children who have such individual needs.

The Deputy will be aware that my colleague, Jimmy Devins T.D., is the Minister of State for Disability and Mental Health. A key role of the Office for Disability and Mental Health is, through formal interdepartmental links, to facilitate the delivery of integrated health and education support services for all children with special needs, including those with autism.