John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Limerick will be enrolling children; the criteria for assessment; when assessments will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25390/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the continuing expansion of autism services nationwide my predecessor gave recognition to the Rehab Group to become the patron of a new special school for children with autism in Limerick. The new school is scheduled to open in September 2008.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from primary, special and post primary schools for special needs supports on the basis of applications in respect of individual pupils. The SENOs operate within the policy outlined in my Department's circulars for allocating such support.

Each SENO works in an assigned local area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs. All schools have contact details of their local SENO. It is also open to parents to contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, alternatively parents can make contact with the school authorities directly at the Rehab complex in Patrickswell, Limerick to discuss enrolment.

Assessment services in relation to health services are available through local Health Service Executive office.