Vol. 490 No. 5
299 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science the services, if any, available for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin diagnosed as suffering from autism; if a place is available in Beech Park in 1998 as recommended by the diagnostic team at Ballyfermot child and family centre; if a report has been carried out on the pilot project in Beech Park on children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10594/98]
I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. I have requested my Department's inspectorate to investigate the educational needs of this child with a view to arranging a suitable school placement as soon as possible. Children with autism have access to a range of educational support services. The precise nature of support provided will depend on the severity of the condition in each individual case. In some cases, children with mild features of autism are educated in ordinary schools with the support, where necessary, of remedial or resource teachers. Children with more serious needs have traditionally been catered for in a number of special schools including schools dedicated to children with mental handicap and schools for children with emotional-behaviourial disorders.
My Department has commenced a review of the operation of the pilot programme of special education services for children with autism which was first introduced in the 1995-6 school year. This review, which is expected to be completed by the end of the current school year, will provide a basis for the development of future responses to the educational needs of children with autism.
