Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there is no autism unit in a mainstream school in a town such as Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20659/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department's policy is focused on ensuring that all children, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. The policy is to provide for children with special educational needs, including autism, to be included in mainstream schools unless such a placement would not be in their best interests or the interests of the children with whom they are to be educated. Some children may be supported in a special class attached to a mainstream school. These students have the option, where appropriate, of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils. Other children may have such complex needs that they are best placed in a special school.

The establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country has been a key educational priority in recent years. 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, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

Details of the special classes for children with autism, including details of special classes for children with autism in the Kerry area are available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the matter raised by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.