Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004

Tuesday, 7 December 2004

Questions (334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

324 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on the recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 that the universities be funded to develop or expand their clinical training programmes to include ASD training, at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and that all clinicians be versed in the various major approaches to educating persons with an ASD; if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32162/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

325 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on the recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 that funding by her Department via the Higher Education Authority be targeted to support professional programmes in educational psychology and that such programmes include ASD-specific training, in order to meet the needs of children and families with ASDs and other special educational needs; if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32163/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

326 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on the recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 that funding be increased and targeted via the Higher Education Authority for the education of increased numbers of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and behaviour specialists and that pending the education of adequate numbers, such personnel be recruited internationally; if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32164/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

347 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32197/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

365 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32228/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

366 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32229/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

368 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32231/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

370 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32233/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

372 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32235/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

373 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32236/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

374 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32237/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

378 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32241/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

379 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32243/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

382 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32247/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

383 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32248/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

385 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32252/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

386 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32253/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

388 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32255/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

389 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32263/04]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

396 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on a recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 (details supplied); if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which it has been carried out; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32270/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 to 326, inclusive, 347, 365, 366, 368, 370, 372 to 374, inclusive, 378, 379, 382, 383, 385, 386, 388, 389 and 396 together.

The Deputy has tabled a number of questions on individual recommendations in the report of the task force on autism. These recommendations provide an invaluable basis for the development of educational services and supports for persons with autism. However, in responding to the recommendations, my Department has had to give priority to a number of key areas before detailed individual recommendations can be addressed. These key areas involve the implementation of the core legislative and structural measures required to underpin service development and delivery. This approach is critical to the implementation of many of the individual recommendations of the task force including those relating to assessment, parental involvement, service delivery, information dissemination, promotion of inclusion and co-ordination between health and education authorities.

With regard to legislation, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 has now been enacted while, on the structural front, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has been established on a statutory basis. While these developments represent significant progress, a considerable amount of additional input is required before these measures can begin to have a positive impact on services for children with special educational needs, including those with autism.

Over the course of the coming months, I expect that significant progress will be made in this regard. Specifically, consideration will be given to the detailed measures required to enable the Act to be commenced. In addition, it is intended that the NCSE will assume operational status in the new year and a range of measures are in hand to ensure that this objective is realised. These measures include comprehensive supported training for the council's special educational needs organisers and the drawing up of detailed work protocols in relation to the various areas of work for which the council will assume responsibility.

This work will be carefully planned and executed over the coming months. It will address many of the recommendations of the task force. Other recommendations will be addressed over time in consultation with the council and other interested parties.

Question No. 327 answered with QuestionNo. 304.

Question No. 328 answered with QuestionNo. 305.