Vol. 566 No. 5
79 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which he intends to deal with applications for resource hours for children with autism having regard to the fact that limits on resource teaching hours are not appropriate limits for children with autism. [13250/03]
Many children at primary school level, with disorders on the autistic spectrum, are capable of attending ordinary schools on an integrated basis with the support, where necessary, of resource teachers and-or special needs assistants. These supports are allocated on an assessed basis and in line with my Department's criteria for the allocation of such supports. Where the level of the condition is of a more serious nature, provision is made by way of special schools or special classes attached to ordinary schools. All such facilities receive the enhanced capitation grants and operate at a maximum pupil teacher ratio of 6:1. Special needs assistant support is also provided where required.
There are currently 115 such classes for pupils with autism in the primary system. These include three special classes for pupils with Asperger's syndrome which is on the autistic spectrum. My Department allocates additional resources to individual second-level schools to cater for special needs pupils enrolled in those schools. Applications for resources are referred to the National Educational Psychological Service and each case is considered on its merits.
There are seven facilities in the State delivering educational services on a pilot-project basis using alternative educational methods for teaching children on the autistic spectrum. The Government is committed to continuing to build on the unprecedented development of special education services, including services for pupils with autism, which has taken place in recent years.
