Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Task Force on Autism.

Mary Wallace

Question:

338 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the task force document on autism and the proposal that special autism education units should have their own dedicated therapy for their own service; and his Department's proposals regarding same. [15441/03]

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

Funding for therapy services is voted by the Oireachtas to the Department of Health and Children. Responsibility for the delivery of therapy services to children with autism lies with the relevant health board. The report of the Task Force on Autism is lengthy and complex. It contains approximately 180 individual 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.

The scope of these recommendations is such as to require a multi-faceted response. My Department's key focus to date has been on progressing the fundamental structural and legislative measures which are necessary to underpin the development and delivery of services for persons with autism in line with the task force's recommendations.

A key development on the structural front has been the decision to establish the National Council for Special Education. The national council, which will have a local area 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. Arrangements for the establishment of the council are now well advanced. A chief executive has been appointed and the objective is that the council will be vested shortly.

I will also be bringing forward legislation based on the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2002 aimed at establishing the rights and entitlements of children with special needs, including autism, to an appropriate education service and providing the necessary framework for effective service delivery. My objective is to secure the passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.