David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to her comments in Dáil Éireann on 13 February 2008 regarding her Department's policy on the conversion of existing pilot ABA schools into special schools, the details of what this change in status from pilot scheme to special school entails; if a school (details supplied) in County Cork has applied for this conversion; if it has been converted to a special school; if not the progress in relation to this change in status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8847/08]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to her Department's policy on the conversion of existing pilot ABA schools into special schools, the details of what this change in status from pilot scheme to special school entails; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8848/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.

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. The issue is being actively progressed and my Department officials have met with the IAA on several occasions to advance this matter.

The centre in question has formally applied for special school status and officials in my Department are progressing this directly with them. Special school status means that the centre in question will operate as a recognised school with all the associated terms and benefits of being a school — including school structure, staffing and management and access to current and capital funding on an on-going basis.