Vol. 562 No. 3
114 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of final recommendations of the task force on autism; the number of such recommendations which have been implemented to date; the way in which the proposed centre of excellence at Middletown, County Armagh, can be justified in view of the recommendations of the task force; the Government's policy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5970/03]
The report of the task force in question contains approximately 180 recommendations ranging from measures aimed at identifying prevalence rates and early intervention, through issues relating to diagnosis and assessment, the centrality of the role of parents, the required models of education and health care services and the need for specialist training for those involved in service provision, to structural, constitutional and policy issues.
My Department's key focus to date has been on progressing the fundamental structural and legislative measures which are necessary to underpin the development of services for persons with autism in line with the task force's recommendations.
A key development on the structural front has been the Government's decision to approve the establishment of the National Council for Special Education. The national council which will have a local presence, will play a key role in the development and delivery of services for persons with special needs, including persons with autism. It will have a research and advisory role and will establish expert groups to address particular areas of special needs provision.
It will also establish a consultative forum to facilitate inputs from the education partners and other interested parties. A chief executive was appointed to the council recently and it is intended that the council will be vested shortly.
It is also my intention to bring forward legislation as soon as possible to copperfasten the rights and entitlement of persons with disabilities, including persons with autism. The objective of this legislation, which will be based on the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2002 will be to provide a statutory underpinning for education services for persons with disabilities, including persons with autism. The Bill will provide a clear and enforceable statement in law of the rights of children and adults who because of disabilities have special educational needs.
The proposed centre at Middletown will not replace any existing service provision for children with autism. Rather, it will complement existing services by providing specialist back-up support, advice and guidance on best practice to service providers north and south. The Middletown centre has the potential to play an important role in addressing the range of issues identified by the task force on autism. It will provide a centre of expertise in the area of diagnosis and assessment. It will provide specialist training programmes for service providers north and south involved in catering for children with autism. It will provide a specialist education unit to facilitate the development of individual education plans for children with autism. It will also provide residential accommodation to facilitate the attendance and participation by parents in their children's assessment and in the development of their individual education plans.
I am confident that the Middletown centre has the potential to play an important role in the development of services for children with autism north and south.
