Vol. 521 No. 3
163 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children with autism who are currently receiving education; the composition of these children by age, by the type of education setting being provided and by county where the education is being provided. [17002/00]
Under present arrangements, children with autism have access to a range of educational support services. The precise nature of the support provided will depend on the severity of the condition in each individual case. These supports include resource teaching support in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, special classes in primary schools and teaching support in special schools.
Each special class, which operates at a pupil teacher ratio of 6:1, also receives the support of a special needs assistant, enhanced capitation and funding towards equipment needs.
My Department does not have information on the number of children with autism and their age, currently receiving education support. However, since my Department announced its formal recognition of the distinct educational needs of certain children with autism, in November 1998, a total of 24 special classes have been established in primary schools. These classes can cater for up to 144 pupils with autism.
There are also thirty one teaching posts allocated to special schools to cater for pupils with autism. These posts can cater for a total of 186 pupils with autism.
I wish to refer the Deputy to the following schedule, which shows the location of the primary and special schools where my Department has sanctioned special classes for pupils with autism.
My Department is currently pursuing the establishment of additional classes for pupils with autism in a number of locations throughout the country.
We are also supporting pilot pre-school provision in three locations, two in Dublin, north and south city, and one in Cork. These pre-school classes are catering for 24 children with autism.
The recently published White Paper on Early Childhood Education sets out the proposed framework for the future development of early education services, including services for children with special needs. My Department has recently completed a range of discussions with interested parties in relation to service development in early childhood education and proposals to advance the measures set out in the White Paper are now being considered.
The Deputy will also be aware that I recently announced my intention to establish a task force on autism to examine models of provision for children with this condition and to make recommendations for the future development of services in this area.
|
Roll Number |
School |
Number of Classes |
|
4919 |
Cratloe National School, Co. Clare |
1 |
|
14000 |
St. Marie's of the Isle NS, Bishop Street, Cork |
1 |
|
16901 |
Scoil Padraig Naofa, Skibereen, Co. Cork |
1 |
|
17732 |
Scoil Chiarain, Donnycarney, Dublin 5 |
2 |
|
19314 |
Scoil Na Maighdine Muire, Ballinteer, Dublin 14 |
2 |
|
19929 |
St Brigid's Sen. Girls NS Finglas, Dublin 11 |
2 |
|
19973 |
Scoil Mhuire, Clifden, Co. Galway |
1 |
|
18288 |
Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Athy, Co. Kildare |
2 |
|
19459 |
Leixlip Girls National School, Co. Kildare |
2 |
|
19675 |
Scoil Bhride, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare |
2 |
|
18107 |
Scoil Realt na Mara, Dundalk, Co. Louth |
1 |
|
17969 |
Scoil Mhuire, Navan, Co. Meath |
2 |
|
18212 |
Presentation School, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath |
1 |
|
16605 |
Kilrane NS, Rosslare, Co. Wexford |
1 |
|
13635 |
Ballyduff NS. Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford |
1 |
|
18732 |
St. Joseph's National School, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow |
2 |
|
County |
Roll Number |
School |
Number of Classes |
|
Cavan |
19039 |
Holy Family, Cootehill, Co. Cavan |
1 |
|
Cork |
19433 |
Holy Family, Charleville, Co. Cork |
1 |
|
Cork |
20074 |
St Gabriel's, Curraheen Road, Cork |
1 |
|
Donegal |
19592 |
St Bernadette's, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal |
1 |
|
Donegal |
19724 |
Little Angels, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal |
1 |
|
Dublin |
17971 |
Holy Angels, Glenmaroon, Chapelizod |
1 |
|
Dublin |
19355 |
Ballyowen Meadows, Stillorgan |
6 |
|
Dublin |
20028 |
Setanta Special School, Stillorgan |
4 |
|
Galway |
19047 |
St Joseph's, Newcastle, Galway |
2 |
|
Galway |
20070 |
Rosedale School, Galway |
1 |
|
Kerry |
19548 |
Nano Nagle, Listowel, Co. Kerry |
1 |
|
Longford |
19429 |
St. Christopher's, Longford |
1 |
|
Mayo |
19375 |
St Brid's, Castlebar, Co. Mayo |
1 |
|
Mayo |
19387 |
St Dympna's, Ballina, Co. Mayo |
1 |
|
Mayo |
19773 |
St Nicholas', Ballina, Co. Mayo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
19230 |
Scoil Chormaic, Cashel, Co. Tipperary |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
19370 |
St Anne's, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary |
2 |
|
Waterford |
19108 |
St. Martin's Special, Waterford |
1 |
|
Waterford |
19244 |
St. Joseph's Special, Waterford |
1 |
