Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Michael Ring

Question:

329 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is help available to train mothers of autistic children to enable them to assist with the educational development of their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8881/01]

Michael Ring

Question:

330 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be given help to train her in assisting the educational development of her autistic son. [8882/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.

The focus of my Department's support for children with special needs, including children with autism, is on the development of school-based services for the children in question. Support is not generally provided to train the mothers of such children to assist with their educational development.

I recently announced a range of new measures to enhance the level and quality of special edu cation services for children with autism. These measures include the development of a nationwide pre-school education 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 each special class catering for children with autism.

I recently established a special task force to review current educational responses to the needs of children with autism and to make recommendations on the future development of services in this area. I expect to receive the report of the task force next month and I will be giving careful consideration to its recommendations.

I understand that my Department has no record of an application for a special educational support service for the child in question. I can assure the Deputy that any such application would be fully considered by my Department.