Michael Ring
Question:385 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools here specifically established to educate autistic children. [3315/02]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Pupils with autism are generally catered for in special schools or in special classes attached to ordinary schools. At present, there is a total of 98 special dedicated classes in place catering for children with autism. These classes are in both ordinary and special schools with the main developments now taking place in ordinary schools. Each class caters for a maximum of six pupils and has the support of a minimum of one teacher and two special needs assistants. Pupils attending such classes also attract special increased rates of capitation funding and are entitled to avail of the special school transport service and the escort service.
In some cases, children with autism can be supported in mainstream primary schools with the support of the resource teacher and-or special needs assistant service. There are currently in excess of 1,500 resource teachers and 3,000 special needs assistant posts in place in the primary system.
My Department also supports a pilot project in Cork which caters for 30 children with autism. This project, which delivers an applied behaviour analysis model of response, was established in 1999 and is operating on a five-year pilot basis. My Department is also funding the operation of two further pilot projects, in Kildare and North Dublin, using the ABA model of response.
The report of the Task Force on Autism, which is currently being considered in my Department, will make an important contribution to the future development of services for children with autistic spectrum disorders.
Michael Ring
Question:386 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funding for a special school for autistic children in Galway or the Galway region; and if funding will be made available. [3318/02]
Proposals for the establishment of a special school for children with autism in Galway are the subject of detailed discussions between officials of my Department, the National Educational Psychological Service and representatives of the parents involved. I hope these discussions will lead to a positive outcome so that the required service can be put in place as speedily as possible to meet the needs of the children in question.
Gay Mitchell
Question:387 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that adequate and proper education facilities are made available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3321/02]
My Department has sanctioned 2.5 hours resource teaching support per week for the pupil in question. I understand my Department has no record of receiving any communication expressing dissatisfaction with this arrangement or seeking an increase in this allocation. Any such application will be fully considered.
Question No. 388 answered with Question No. 378.