Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form by county since 2011 the number of children who have received a diagnosis on the autistic spectrum; the number of ASD places by county in the same period; and the number of those places which are designated for pre-school children. [31597/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism 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.

I have arranged for the Deputy's question relating to the number of children who have received a diagnosis on the autistic spectrum; the number of ASD places by county in the same period; and the number of those places which are designated for pre school children to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.