Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the capital funding support being made available to the 12 existing ABA centres to allow them to develop purpose built premises and additional facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8937/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the capital funding support being made available to an ABA centre (details supplied) in County Galway to allow them to develop purpose built premises and additional facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8938/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if pupils attending the existing 12 ABA centres, who require the ABA educational approach, can avail of the full ABA programme up to 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8939/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if pupils attending an existing ABA centre (details supplied) in County Galway, who require the ABA educational approach, can avail of the full ABA programme up to 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8940/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the measures being put in place for the 12 ABA centres to accept additional pupils in 2008 and to expand to meet the needs of the children who have already applied for a placement for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8941/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the measures being put in place for an ABA centre (details supplied) in County Galway to accept additional pupils in 2008 and to expand to meet the needs of the children who have already applied for a placement for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8942/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 to 425, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children including those with autism 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, 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 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 Deputy will be aware that the pilot programme to which she refers was established in the absence of this network of special classes that is now in our schools and will not be expanded. We are determined instead to ensure that each child has access to the autism-specific education that is now being made available in schools throughout the country.

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 and my Department officials have met with the IAA on several occasions to progress this matter. Capital funding for centres will also be included in the discussions. While these discussions are ongoing, my Department will not fund any expansion in the number of children attending the centres. Special schools cater for children up until they are 18 years of age.