Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to meet undertakings given prior to the general election in 2007 in respect of provisions for children with autism in mainstream education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13584/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government is determined to ensure that all children with special educational needs, including autism, have access to an education appropriate to their needs. Parents of children with autism now have three distinct choices available to them — their child can either attend a mainstream class in their local school with additional supports as required, they can attend a special class in a mainstream school or they can attend a special school. While some children with autism can thrive in a mainstream class, special classes have been specifically designed to meet the needs of those who require more intensive support.

There are in the region of 2,100 children with autism who are receiving additional teaching and/or special needs assistant support in mainstream schools. There are now in excess of 285 autism-specific classes around the country, an increase of 76 since the formation of the current Government. As part of the continuing expansion of services nationwide I recently gave recognition to the Rehab Group as the patron of a new special school for children with autism in Limerick. The National Council Special Education (NCSE) will continue to establish special classes for children with autism where the need is identified.