Vol. 550 No. 5
178 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the need for additional funding for CABAS at Scoil Eoin, Greendale Road, to facilitate additional places for autistic children to be admitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9586/02]
The unit to which the Deputy refers was established in August 2001 to operate for a three year period. The overall operating cost of the unit, which can cater for 12 children with autism, is being funded by my Department. The unit is using the comprehensive application of the behavioural analysis system in the education of the children. The operation of this pilot unit will be evaluated by my Department before any expansion is considered. Children with autism have access to a range of special support services. To date, some 90 special classes dedicated to children with autism have been established within the primary sector. Each such class operates at a maximum pupil teacher ratio of 6:1 and each class also has the support of at least two special needs assistants. Further such classes are being established on an ongoing basis in response to assessed needs. In addition, the project to which the Deputy refers is one of three projects which are delivering an applied behavioural analysis model of response to children with autism.
The task force on autism, which I established in October 2000, has presented a comprehensive range of proposals for the future development of services for children with autism. This report, which is currently being considered in my Department, will make an important contribution to the further development of services in this area.
