Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 2

Written Answers. - Policy on Autism.

Jim Higgins

Question:

137 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's policy on autism; if his Department will fund individuals who are using the Lovaas programme with their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4905/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

In November 1998, my Department announced its formal recognition of the distinct educational needs of certain children with autism. Arising from this development, special dedicated provision is now made available for such children at a pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1. Each special class also has the support of a child care assistant. To-date, more than 50 special classes have been established to provide dedicated educational support for children with autism and my Department is currently pursuing the establishment of additional special classes in a number of locations throughout the country.

In some cases, parents of children with special needs, including children with autism, may wish their children to attend school on a fully integrated basis. Arising from a Government decision of October 1998, all such children now have an entitlement to an automatic response to their needs. The response in question may take the form of extra teacher or extra child care support, or both, depending on the needs of the individual child. Already, as a result of this decision, the number of resource teachers in the primary system has grown from 104 to 329 and the number of child care assistants has grown from 295 to 937.

In the particular case of children with autism, there is also a need for additional support services such as speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. These services are provided by the relevant health authorities and my Department works closely with these authorities to ensure that the necessary supports are made available.

I am satisfied that the range of special support services made available by my Department offer an adequate response to the needs of children with autism and there are no plans at present to provide funding for individuals using the Lovaas programme.