Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the growing knowledge regarding the Autism condition and the demands on individual schools and on the education system, if he will consider setting up a special unit to address, advise and examine resources in relation to the needs of children in the primary school sector who are diagnosed with autistic conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28889/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department is conscious of the need to adapt existing policies and to develop new policies as new research or learning becomes available.

The National Council for Special Education has a formal role under Section 20.1(j) of EPSEN to advise the Minister 'in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities'. I have now requested the NCSE to prepare Policy Advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The NCSE have commissioned research which will not be finalised until mid to late 2014 and I expect that this research will inform much of the work in preparing the policy advice. Accordingly it is not expected that the report will be finalised until early 2015.