Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Autism Services.

Simon Coveney

Question:

141 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of recommendations in the Task Force on Autism which have been implemented partially and which have been implemented in full; the number for which implementation has been initiated; the number of recommendations outstanding; and the recommendations which have been done at all. [15820/03]

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

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.

In the meantime, investment in special support services for children with autism is continuing to develop, having regard to the recommendations of the task f orce. To date, 115 special classes dedicated to children with autism have been established. These include three special classes for pupils with Aspergers' Syndrome, which is on the autistic spectrum. Further such classes are being established on an ongoing basis in response to assessed needs. Each class caters for a maximum of six pupils and is supported by a teacher and two special needs assistants.

Children attending such classes attract a special rate of capitation funding of €589.50 per annum. Such children are also entitled to avail of the special school transport service which includes escorts on school buses. Expenditure on the special transport service last year is estimated at €40 million with an additional €4.4 million being spent on the escort service.

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.

In addition to school-based provision, there are seven facilities in the State delivering educational services using alternative educational methods for teaching children on the autistic spectrum. These facilities, together with the school based services, are currently being evaluated by my Department's inspectorate. It is expected that the evaluation process will be completed this year.