The Deputy will be aware that the Government is committed to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support students with special education needs. The SENO will also consider applications from schools to establish special classes for students with autism. I set out below, for the Deputy's information, a list provided by the NCSE of schools approved for ASD classes in the Kildare area.
When a school is approved for an ASD/Special Needs Unit, and its existing accommodation does not meet this need, the school may apply to my Department for funding for such accommodation. All such applications are afforded a high priority. In some cases, if it is not possible to carry out a major extension to the school in the time available, temporary accommodation is put in place. I can confirm to the Deputy that all schools in Kildare that applied for additional accommodation in this regard in 2010 were provided with funding.
Roll Number
|
School Name & Address
|
Class Type
|
No. of Classes
|
18288B
|
Scoil Micheál Naofa, Athy
|
2 : Mild General Learning Disability
|
1
|
|
|
3 : Moderate General Learning Disability
|
1
|
|
|
Autism
|
5
|
|
|
|
7
|
20271T
|
Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
|
4 : Severe/Profound General Learning Disability
|
1
|
|
|
Autism
|
2
|
|
|
|
3
|
20114D
|
Scoil Brid, Oldtown, Naas, Co Kildare
|
Autism
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
18515J
|
Scoil an Linbh Iosa, Prosperous, Naas, Co Kildare
|
Autism
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
19459H
|
Leixlip GNS, Leixlip, Co Kildare
|
Autism
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
19675N
|
Scoil Bhride, Kilcullen, Co Kildare
|
Autism
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
19995I
|
North Kildare Educate Together, Clane Road, Celbridge
|
Autism
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
18093J
|
Clogherinkoe NS, Moyvalley, Co Kildare
|
Autism
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
20292E
|
Maynooth Educate Together, Celbridge Rd., Maynooth
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
91371B
|
Colaiste Chiarain, Leixlip
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
61661P
|
Salesian Secondary School, Celbridge
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
70720G
|
St. Farnans VEC, Prosperous, Naas
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
70710D
|
St. Patricks, Community College, Naas
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
00779U
|
Presentation Girls PS, Maynooth
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
18449W
|
St Conleth’s NS, Derrinturn, Carbury.
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
17873H
|
St Conleth’s & Mary’s Junior School
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
70650L
|
Athy Community College, Athy
|
Autism
|
1
|
|
|
|
31
|