John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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433. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by the HSE to refer persons to the Middletown Centre for Autism, Middletown, Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9244/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Middletown Centre for Autism project is a jointly funded initiative between the Department of Education in Northern Ireland and the Department of Education aimed at supporting the promotion of excellence in the development and harmonisation of education and allied services to children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders.

At the request of my Department, and, as approved by the North South Ministerial Council, Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA) commenced provision, on a limited basis in the Republic of Ireland of an intensive educational assessment and learning support service to children and young people on an outreach basis (MCA Pilot). This is a second-tier service which complements existing provision for children and young people with autism. Therefore, where autistic children and young people experience significant difficulties, the first course of action is engagement with first tier services provided by the Department of Education, (including NEPS), National Council for Special Education and Health Services Executive and (HSE)/ HSE funded services.

The MCA Pilot is a second-tier service and works with a defined number of referrals. The nomination and referral process is initiated by parents and professionals at school level via the Principal following a multidisciplinary school based review involving the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), the local Special Educational Needs Officer (SENO) and other relevant professionals. Nominations cannot be made directly to Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA), the Department of Education or the NCSE.

Nominations for MCA Referral are only considered for children and young people where such a review concludes despite comprehensive autism specific support and consistent engagement from school and home with first-tier services, the child or young person continues to present with significant and enduring behavioural and emotional concerns which impact their engagement and participation in education. MCA’s Learning Support & Assessment team builds on the work of first tier services and works alongside them to ensure their involvement in the process. They aim to create a strong base for building family and professional capacity to support the child when the referral concludes (normally after 10 months).

The Centre provides a comprehensive nationwide training service for parents and educational professionals. Parents can view the range of courses which the Centre has available through the website, www.middletownautism.com.