Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the total number of autism or other special teaching units currently available at all mainstream schools throughout the country; the full extent of the requirement; the number of applications for such facilities currently before her; the way she intends to respond to such requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47883/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that 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. In excess of 420 classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level, including many in special schools.

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 (SENOs), for allocating special needs resources to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and special needs assistants will continue to be deployed to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.

I have arranged for your request for information to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 11 November 2010, if she will make an immediate decision on the home tuition grant for a child (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47911/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department wrote to the parent of the child in question on December 1st advising her that home tuition has been sanctioned until the end of the current school term. My Department will be in further contact with her shortly in this regard.