Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 7

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Willie Penrose

Question:

177 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 15 April 2003, if the application made from parents from Mullingar to open an autism specific school in May 2002 and which was subsequently rejected by the Special Education Section of his Department in June 2002 will be granted; the length of time the review of options for delivery service to autistic children in the Westmeath area as indicated in his response has been going on for; when this review will be completed and contact made with the parents in question; if there are now a number of children in the Westmeath area whereby review of the child assessment by NEPS has indicated that delivery of model A as being the most appropriate form of education for that child; and if attempts have been made to date to deliver one to one education as indicated in the model within the Westmeath area. [15048/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department is actively considering the most appropriate education provision for the children referred to by the Deputy. Up-to-date psychological reports in respect of the children have been made available to my Department recently. In this regard, relevant officials and professional staff are liaising with a view to progressing the matter. It is hoped that meaningful progress can be made as a result of this process and my officials will be in contact with the parents concerned as quickly as possible.