Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the schools in the Dublin 8, 10 and 12 areas that have an autism spectrum disorder, ASD unit (details supplied). [50178/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, 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.

Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.

ASD Early intervention classes are available for children aged 3-5 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Early intervention classes are intended to provide early support for children with ASD before they start school.

Following early intervention children will attend a mainstream class unless there is professional guidance that they require a special class or a placement in a special school.

The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.

There are currently 130 ASD Early Intervention, of which 18 are located in Dublin City and County, including 4 classes in the area referred to by the Deputy.

Where there is no Early Intervention placement available, my Department will consider applications under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme, where a student can receive up to 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until a placement becomes available.

Parents/Guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.

Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, including those in the area to which the Deputy has referred are available on www.ncse.iein county order, and with new classes identified.