Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 651: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applied behavioural analysis schools in receipt of funding from his Department; the number of ABA schools which have applied for funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6073/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) pilot scheme funded by my Department which funds 13 stand-alone autism centres. The scheme was set up in the absence of the current national network of autism-specific special classes in our schools. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children including those with autism can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers who may draw from a range of autism-specific interventions, including ABA, special needs assistants, and the appropriate school curriculum with the option where possible of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils. As each child with autism is unique it is important that children have access to a range of interventions so their broader needs can be met.

In excess of 380 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level by my Department in conjunction with National Council Special Education (NCSE), while more are being set up as required. At primary level there are a maximum of six children in each special class with a teacher and at least two special needs assistants. Extra assistants are provided where the children need them on a case by case basis. In addition, there are in the region of 3,300 children with autism who are receiving additional teaching and/or special needs assistant support in mainstream schools.

The Deputy will be aware that the 2007/2012 Programme for Government commits to the long-term funding for the centres that are currently in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable them to be supported as primary schools for children with autism. I am pleased to advise that broad agreement has been reached on the core conditions to enable these centres to be recognised as special schools for children with autism and applications have been received for special school recognition from the centres in question. These schools, once recognised, will provide education for children with autism in line with my Department's policy. Detailed modalities relating to the transfer of staff are under consideration.