Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 573: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [27655/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds a number of early intervention special classes for younger children with autism. Parents seeking enrolment should apply to the Board of Management of schools with such early intervention classes. My Department has no role in the enrolment of children in specific schools. Where a child with autism, aged 3 years or older, cannot access such a placement, my Department provides funding to parents/guardians for a programme of home tuition. My Department has noted the name and address in question and will issue a home tuition application form to the parents in August.

However, the parents should contact the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to obtain advice on placement options. The Deputy is aware that the NCSE is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

SENOs are a valuable resource in assisting parents with regard to their child's special educational needs and placement options. Contact details for SENOs are available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.