Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 627: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the way in which she coordinates with the Department of Health and Children to ensure the smooth transition of children with autism form the pre-school environment, including essential therapies and early education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30837/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Officials from my Department are part of a cross-Departmental Team, along with officials from the Department of Health and Children, National Council for Special Education and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This team meets regularly to discuss issues which require input from both Health and Educational services. In addition, the Special Education section of my Department works in a dual reporting arrangement with the Office of the Minister for Disability and Mental Health which has responsibility for promotion of co-ordinated delivery of services in the health and education sectors to people with disabilities and special educational needs and co-ordination in the provision of information to those with disabilities and special needs and, in the case of children, their parents/guardians.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) was established to co-ordinate the delivery of services for children with special educational needs. The NCSE is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE responds to applications from schools, including any applications in respect of newly enrolling children, for additional supports. The Health Service Executive is responsible for the provision of health supports such as therapies to children.