I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 763 together.
The Department of Education and Science, in the first instance, is most anxious that all children, including children with autistic spectrum disorders receive an education appropriate to their needs. In this regard, the preferred approach to the provision of appropriate education for all children, including children with autism, is through the primary and post-primary school network, whether through placement in mainstream classes, special classes or special schools.
The Department of Education and Science also supports an eclectic approach in regard to the education of children with autism where a range of teaching methods are available, for example, treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children, TEACH, applied behavioural analysis, ABA, and picture exchange communication system, PECS. In this regard, it should be noted that none of the early intervention and pre-school resources sanctioned for St. Catherine's is classified by the Department of Education and Science as dedicated ABA classes.
The National Council for Special Education has today advised the school that a third pre-school/early intervention class for children with autistic spectrum disorders is being sanctioned with immediate effect.