I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for selecting this matter on the Adjournment. The CABAS school for children with autism in Drogheda was set up in March 2003 as part of a pilot project with funding until August 2004. There has been much correspondence with the Department of Education and Science about this matter. There are seven similar schools throughout the country, of which three are CABAS schools.
There are 18 children attending the school and it has a staff of 21. There is a waiting list of almost 50 children for places at the school. Two of the children are partially mainstreamed and they have the support of their teachers at the Drogheda school. All the other children are making tremendous progress. Their lives and those of their parents and families have been transformed. The staff come from a variety of backgrounds, although their qualifications are principally degree based. Three of the staff are attending a master's programme in applied behavioural analysis at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, which is the first of its kind in the country. All the staff participate in intensive detailed work on house training.
The Drogheda school is operating in a three bedroom house in a housing estate. The community hopes to rent a more suitable property soon. However, it can only sign a lease until the end of August 2004 and that is causing extreme difficulty. The school has tried repeatedly to get a decision from the Department as quickly as possible, but it has been unsuccessful up to now. However, the Department has been supportive in allowing this project to proceed as far as it has. As a result of its success, the commitment shown by the people and the progress made, a decision must be made to allow the staff to continue to teach.
In a recent ministerial letter, the Minister stated that a review of the pilot programme is being carried out and that a decision would be made during the current school year. However, that will end in June and the school's funding runs out in August. It is not acceptable to have such a short period of notice. The parents want this decision expedited. If the Minister could give a commitment on when the decision will be made, they could plan ahead. It is a successful experimental programme. I and other Deputies in the constituency and in County Meath have received weekly letters on this issue. It is exceptionally difficult for anyone who has a child with autism, and anything which helps them to make progress is worthy of support. I hope the Minister of State has good news for us.
