Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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586. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that behaviour analysts within special schools for children with autism and complex needs are retained in the entirety of the sector in view of the situation (details supplied) in County Kildare. [21895/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department previously funded 13 centres through an ABA pilot scheme funded for the period 1999-2011. 

All of these centres applied for and were granted recognition as special schools for children with Autism and form part of the network of special schools.

As part of the transitional agreement my Department provides grant funding to these schools to engage behaviour practitioners. My Department intends to continue this arrangement for the 2021/22 school year.

My Department facilitates a Consultative Forum with the Patrons of these 13 schools to ensure these schools are adequately supported.

My Department will convene a meeting of this forum to ensure this issue and other matters arising can be addressed through this forum.