Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which he will receive policy advice on education for children with autism from the National Council for Special Education. [5205/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that the Policy Advice on educational provision for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders will be delivered in the spring of 2015. The NCSE has 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.

The Deputy will be aware that I specifically asked that the NCSE would consult widely with parents, professionals, other stakeholders and interested parties in the preparation of this policy advice. It will be open to all interested parties to contribute to the consultation process and I expect that the NCSE final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.