Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Placement.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

141 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to provide an adequate and appropriate education for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose case was highlighted in The Irish Times of 11 April 1994; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

In considering appropriate educational provision for children with autism it is necessary to take account of factors such as the severity of the autistic symptoms and the level of intelligence and of language development. No one type of educational provision will meet the needs of all children with autism. There is a continuum of special educational needs which is best served by a corresponding range of educational provisions. Accordingly, some needs may be catered for in the ordinary school, while more acute needs can best be met in a more specialised setting.

Depending on individual circumstances, educational provision can be made in any one of the following: (a) An ordinary national school with the support of a remedial or resource teacher. (b) A special class in an ordinary national school. (c) A special school for mentally handicapped children. (d) A special school for children with emotional and/or behavioural disorders.

The pupil referred to by the Deputy currently attends a school for emotionally disturbed children. In order to consider the ongoing suitability of this placement it would be necessary that a recent psychological assessment and a report from a child psychiatrist on the pupil be made available to my Department.

The Irish Society for Autism recently presented material in support of its case for a dedicated educational facility for children with autism when it met with officials of my Department. The case put forward by the Society is currently being examined by my Department and a decision on the matter will be taken when this examination is completed.