Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 April 2014
99. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 358 to 362, inclusive, of March 2014, the reason he has been unable to obtain a specific date or even an indicative date of the year when Model A became outdated; and the reason he made no reference in his reply to his Department's documentation that was issued to the schools replacing the Model A document. [15579/14]
View answerAs I previously advised the Deputy the Model A document in question became outdated in that it refers to specific models of provision. I do not have a specific date from which the prescribed model became outdated. However from 2006/2007 it was recognised that the model concept was complex and multipurpose. It was determined that parents of children with autism should have three distinct choices available to them; their child could either attend a mainstream class in their local school with additional supports as required, they could attend a special class in a mainstream school or they could attend a special school. The Deputy will be aware that while some children with autism can thrive in a mainstream class, special classes have been specifically designed to meet the needs of those who require more intensive support.
