Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the developments which have taken place since the formation of the Government to improve accommodation and services for children with autism, Asperger's syndrome, for children with a learning disability and to improve speech and language therapy and psychological assessments; her plans for 2008 to deal with these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8638/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to improved facilities for children with autism, Asperger's syndrome and children with similar needs, 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 through the primary and post primary school network. There are now in excess of 275 autism-specific classes sanctioned around the country, an increase of over 60 since the formation of the current Government. The National Council Special Education (NCSE) will continue to establish classes where the need is identified. As part of the continuing expansion of services nationwide I recently gave recognition to the Rehab Group to become the patron of a new special school for children with autism in Limerick. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that this is being actively progressed between officials from my Department and the IAA.

The Deputy may be aware that in order to support teachers my Department has put in place a training programme for teachers in specific interventions associated with autism including TEACCH, PECS and ABA through the Special Education Support Service (SESS). A recent initiative has been the expansion of the SESS to enable it to recruit a behavioural specialist support team, led by a person with a PhD in ABA. Since May 2007 the number of psychologists employed within the NEPS service has increased from 128 to 138 and it is my intention to further increase this complement to 169 within 2008. In this regard, following a national recruitment process put in place in late 2007 by the Public Appointments Service, interviews are currently being held to form regional panels from which appointments to priority regions.

In common with many other psychological services, NEPS encourages a staged assessment process, whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention, in consultation with their assigned NEPS psychologist. Only if there is a failure to make reasonable progress in spite of the school's best efforts, will a child be referred for individual psychological assessment. This system allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention. A measure of the effect of the above mentioned expansion of NEPS psychologist numbers, in terms of assessments conducted, will be taken at the end of the current academic year.

The Deputy will be aware that a cross-sectoral team has also been established, comprising senior officials from my Department, the NCSE, the Department of Health and Children and the HSE to co-ordinate the implementation of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 and the relevant sections of the EPSEN Act 2004. Since the formation of the Government, a Minister of State has been appointed to have responsibility for Disability and Mental Health. The newly established Office for Disability and Mental Health will, through formal interdepartmental links, facilitate the delivery of integrated health and education support services for all children with special needs, including those with autism. As the Deputy will be aware the Health Services Executive is responsible for the delivery of health supports including therapies to children.

In 2002 my Department approved the provision of an additional 75 places on new courses in Speech and Language Therapy in U.C.C., N.U.I.G. and U.L. in addition to 25 places on an existing course in T.C.D. As a result there has been a significant increase in the numbers of Speech and Language Therapists graduating from universities in recent years. Some 93 Therapists graduated 2007 compared to 21 in 2004. It is understood from the Higher Education Authority that 109 places are currently offered annually on Speech and Language Therapy courses compared to 25 places in 2002.

In relation to associated facilities the Deputy will be aware that during the period of the last National Development Plan 2000-2006 my Department accelerated the school building programme with record levels of investment and the streamlining of delivery systems. An aggregate total of well over €2.6 billion was invested in upgrading existing school infrastructure and providing new school accommodation at both first and second-level, including the provision of facilities for autism and other special needs pupils. This programme delivered over 7,800 building projects. The overall investment in school building infrastructure over the lifetime of the new NDP will be €4.5 billion, including almost €600 million for the school building programme in 2008. Generally projects required for special needs pupils receive a high degree of priority in my Department. Significant development and improvements have been and will continue to be made in the range of areas identified by the Deputy.