Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when his officials will be in a position to discuss the concerns and questions of organisations involved with preschool ASD classes to the recent changes to the home tuition grant and policy pertaining to the opening of preschool ASD classes and provision of early intervention. [4718/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy in the first instance that there has been no change to my Department's policy on the home tuition grant and policy pertaining to the opening of early intervention classes for children with autism. My Department's policy facilitates the enrolment of pupils with autism in early intervention classes in primary schools from the age of three years. Home Tuition can be provided for eligible children as an interim measure where a placement is not available.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports and establishing special classes, including early intervention classes for children with autism, as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I advised the Deputy previously that officials in the Special Education Section of my Department met with the Directors of a pre-school facility to discuss issues they had raised in correspondence and they are welcome to revert should they have further queries relating to the scheme.

As the Deputy is aware I requested the NCSE to prepare evidence based policy advice on the education of children with autism which would be informed by research and consultation. I specifically asked the NCSE to consult widely with parents, professionals, other stakeholders and interested parties in the preparation of this policy advice. This will provide an opportunity for the organisations to which the Deputy refers to contribute to the development of policy in this area.