Vol. 536 No. 5
392 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements he has made for the additional four weeks of school for the special classes for autistic children in national schools; and the arrangements which have been put in place with teachers, classroom assistants, transport providers and with the relevant school authorities to provide the necessary funding for these arrangements. [15033/01]
My Department is finalising arrangements for the extension of education programmes through the month of July in the case of facilities catering for children with autism. Funding is being made available to provide a special rate of remuneration to teachers and care staff involved in the July programmes and schools will also receive a special rate of capitation funding in respect of participating pupils. Funding is also available to facilitate the provision of special transport services and escorts, however the precise requirements in relation to transport needs will only be established when details of the locations of the individual children wishing to participate in the programmes are available. My Department is involved in discussions with representatives of the relevant school authorities in relation to the above matters.
