Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 741: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants attached to special classes for autism who have obtained training through the special education support service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11615/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Education Support Service is currently delivering a comprehensive training package to staff in Autistic Spectrum Disorder Units attached to schools. The training is being delivered in two phases. In phase 1 of this training 60 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) have received training in 2007/2008 with a further 68 undertaking training in 2008 as part of phase 2. Two days are provided for training of this nature for SNAs. My Department is committed to supporting the roll out of further training for SNAs working with children with autism.

Any training provided is in the context of circular 07/02. As part of the overall training plan for staff in ASD Units, SNAs are provided with training in:

The role of the SNA

Nature of ASD

The language of ASD

Social Skills for children with ASD

"Social Stories"

Teaching approaches for children with ASD.

In addition, it should also be noted that SNAs work under the direction of qualified teachers.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 742: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if all but five of the autism-specific classes sanctioned by her Department and by the National Council for Special Education are open; the 270 autism-specific classes which are open and in full operational mode; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11616/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am arranging for the information in question to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 743: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will advise on the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [11619/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, in September 2007, the service provider in question extended its services to ensure that all children with severe and profound disabilities are in receipt of appropriate educational supports, including the pupil referred to by the Deputy. My Department provides the teaching and special needs assistant support. I understand from the service provider, that as part of the change process, it gave a commitment to families of children with severe and profound disabilities that their children would receive a support service during the school holidays equivalent to the level of support that was available in the previous system. This service has been planned and runs over most of the school holiday periods.

I understand also that there have been some difficulties with recruiting suitable personnel for the support service. As a result, I am informed that the pupil in question did not receive a service for one day during Easter.

The service provider has advised that it remains committed to providing the support service during the school holidays and will continue to endeavour to recruit the appropriate staff in order to provide the necessary supports. It is open to the parents of the pupil in question to liaise directly with the service provider regarding their concerns.