I wish to advise the Deputy that the statement by the centre in question on the level of correspondence between their directors and my officials is not correct. The position is that my officials contacted the centre by email of 25th October 2013. My officials then met with the directors on 26th November 2013 and subsequently corresponded with them on 4th December 2013. A further letter was issued on 10 January 2014 and again on 26th February 2014. The subject of the engagement was twofold. Firstly the directors wished to engage with my Department on the possibilities of providing home tuition services through their centre. The second element was the desire of the Directors of the Centre to engage my officials on my Department's current policies around the education of Children with Autism. On the first issue, my officials offered full assistance to the Directors. On the second issue, my officials advised the Directors that I have asked the NCSE to provide policy advice on the educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders. My officials advised the Directors that the NCSE process would provide for a full opportunity to engage in the consultation around the development of the policy advice. My officials have indicated that it is open to all interested parties equally including the centre referred to by the Deputy 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. While my officials are happy to provide factual information on the current policy in response to any query raised, it is clear that, while the NCSE consultation process is underway, no parties should be facilitated in seeking to influence current policies by means other than engaging in the process that has been set out for all. The NCSE has advised that the policy advice will be delivered in the spring of 2015. My unavailability to meet with the directors of the centre remains unchanged.
