Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 1681: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 390 of 27 May 2008, if the behavioural specialist support team led by a person with a PhD in Applied Behaviour Analysis has been put in place and is available to support teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29956/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently in the process of recruiting specialist behaviour advisors to form part of a Behavioural Specialist Support Team. Following a recent competition, the Special Education Support Service (SESS) is working to recruit a number of candidates. While this process is ongoing the person that will lead this team is working with the SESS in an advisory capacity and in addition to providing in-school support has also provided access to programmes of Continuing Professional Development covering the area of Applied Behaviour Analysis. The following courses have been provided on two occasions and will be provided again in the current academic year:

Contemporary Applied Behaviour Analysis (10-week course)

Applied Behaviour Analysis (2-day).

Once the remaining members of the team are in place it will continue to consolidate teachers' knowledge and skills in the application of behavioural principles to learning.

The Deputy may also be interested to note that the SESS is providing a wide range of supports and interventions in the area of Autism via on-line training, face-to-face training, phone advice and individualised support for school's identified continuing professional development needs. The approaches include Language and Communication, Managing Inclusion, Curriculum Access for Pupils with General Learning Disabilities and Autism, Sensory Integration, PECS, TEACCH, Social Stories, and Applied Behaviour Analysis.