Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
203. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the National Council for Special Education is undertaking new research on advising him on the preparation of a policy document on educating children with autism in view of the fact that the NCSE commissioned research in 2008 which it described as the most extensive research in the area of special education. [6430/14]
View answer204. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Project IRIS only included one ASD unit despite the fact that more than 500 such ASD units have been rolled out throughout the country over the past number of years. [6431/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
The research to which the Deputy refers is the Inclusive Research in Irish Schools Project (Project IRIS). This National Council for Special Education (NCSE) commissioned research is a longitudinal study initially over 3 years examining the provision of special education within schools. The aim of the project is to look at the educational experiences and outcomes of students with a variety of special educational needs in various school settings. Twenty fours schools were included in the qualitative element of the study and they were selected on the basis of school variables such as urban/rural, DEIS status etc. It was not the purpose of the study to look specifically at one group of students or one form of provision.
Separately as the Deputy is aware I have asked the NCSE to provide policy advice specifically on the educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders. The NCSE has advised that the policy advice will be delivered in the spring of 2015 and will draw upon findings gathered from an extensive consultation process which has already commenced. The advice will also draw upon new research commissioned by the NCSE for this purpose as well as any other research which may be available and which the NCSE considers merits consideration. The Deputy may wish to note that the NCSE has advised of two studies that are underway and which are relevant in this context - a review of special class provision and a review of autism provision. Both studies will include special classes/units for students with autism. It will be open to all interested parties to contribute to the consultation process for the policy advice and I expect that the NCSE final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.
