Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 280: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no autistic spectrum disorders unit for children with autism attached to any primary school in Limerick city; if there are plans to establish such a unit in view of the number of children who cannot get appropriate support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32879/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will also be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support students with autism. The SENO will also consider applications from schools to establish special classes for students with autism.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

The establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.