Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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189. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full cost to the State of the provision of ABA support to a child with severe autism for ten hours per week for a 12-month period. [23062/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department's position is that as each child with autism is unique, they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. Applied Behavioural Analysis, or ABA, is one of the approaches used in special classes for children with autism.

It is a matter for schools to determine the approach or mix of approaches which they will use in each individual case. The approach towards each child's education should be based on the individual educational needs of the child and should have regard to the child's individual education plan and supporting professional reports, etc. and would require the interaction of all school personnel involved in the provision of education to the child.

My Department does not support the exclusive use of any particular approach, including ABA. Neither does my Department directly fund exclusive ABA support and therefore I am not in a situation to provide an estimate of cost of ABA support as described by the Deputy.