Written answers

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

8:00 pm

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 641: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will reconsider his decision to fund the cross-Border autism centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22273/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that I have been anxious to develop this Centre to provide for the promotion of excellence in the development and harmonisation of education and associated services for children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders. A lot has been achieved already in collaboration with the Department of Education, Northern Ireland, with the Centre currently delivering training programmes and commissioning research. Our current economic climate has meant a thorough review of all educational projects and programmes requiring expenditure. Given the competing demands within the education sector and the overall demands on Government finances, it has not proven possible to provide additional funding to fully develop all projects currently underway.

The outcome of this process means that, unfortunately, my Department is not in a position to provide the funding required to expand the Middletown Centre as had been intended this year or to enable the capital project to proceed as planned. I wish to assure the Deputy that this decision does not mean that funding is been withdrawn from Middletown and it will continue to be enabled to provide services and, indeed, to develop some additional services. My Department is anxious to ensure the continuation of ongoing training and research programmes. The Department will, of course, keep the expansion of the Middletown Centre under review in the context of improved financial circumstances.

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