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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

396 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of autistic persons who are in receipt of an appropriate education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26318/00]

Depending on the severity of the disorder, children with autism may be catered for in special dedicated facilities or in integrated settings where they can be supported by the resource teacher and the special needs assistant services.

Arising from the decision of my Department in November 1998 to recognise the distinct educational needs of certain children with autism, a total of 63 special classes dedicated to children with autism have been established to date. Each of these classes operates at a pupil teacher ratio of 6:1 and each class has the support of a special needs assistant. These classes are capable of catering for up to 378 children with autism. Further such classes are being established as additional needs are identified.
I recently announced a range of measures to further enhance the range of education services available to children with autism. These measures include the introduction of a nationwide pre-school service for children with autism; the extension of the school year through the month of July in the case of all special facilities catering for children with autism; and a doubling of the level of special needs assistant cover provided to all special classes catering for children with autism.
Arrangements are currently being made to give effect to the above measures.
I am also appointing an internationally recognised expert in the field of autism to advise my Department on the development of services in this area and to liaise with the work of the special task force on autism which I recently established and which has been requested to report to me within three months. I am also appointing a clinical psychologist to advise on the needs of individual children with autism.
Children with milder disorders can be capable of attending ordinary schools on a fully integrated basis. Arising from a Government decision of October 1998, all children with special needs within the primary system, including children with autism, have an automatic entitlement to a response to their needs, irrespective of their level of need or location. As a result of this decision, the number of resource teachers catering for children with special needs, including children with autism, has increased from 104 to more than 560. The number of special needs assistants deployed to support such children has increased from 299 to more than 1,400 over the same period. Details of the number of children with autism who are currently availing of these services are not readily available in my Department.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

397 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which he plans to implement his plan to extend the school year into July in the case of special facilities catering for children with autism; if he has communicated his plans to teachers and principals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26319/00]

My Department is currently considering how the extension in question might best be achieved, having regard to the needs of the children involved and their parents and also the rights and concerns of the staff of schools affected by this measure.

I assure the Deputy that no arrangements will be put in place without full consultation with representatives of the teachers and schools involved. My objective is to secure an arrange ment which not only benefits the children but has the support of their teachers and the school authorities.
Question No. 398 taken with Question No. 136.
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