Skip to main content
Normal View

Autism Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Questions (248)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

248. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 2 April 2014, in view of his response that his Department's policy on the education of children with autism resides within the overall policies on the education of children, including those with special educational needs, and the relevant circulars are available on www.education.gov.ie, and in view of the fact there are 573 active Department circulars on www.education.ie but there appears to be no active specific circular regarding the education of children with autism and specifically the operation of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units, if he will confirm his Department was responsible for the roll-out of more than 500 ASD units without having issued one single circular to schools on the way to open and operate these ASD units. [17766/14]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware autism classes are established by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

A range of supports are available to schools in which the classes operate including the NCSE, NEPS, the inspectorate, the circulars referred to by the Deputy and continuing professional development for teachers through the Special Education Support Service. In the case of each of the ASD classes currently operating throughout the country, each of these were opened with the direct support of the NCSE/SENO and/or the Inspectorate and/or the relevant NEPS Psychologist. Through the provision of this direct support, each school received the advice and guidance necessary to assist them in the development of their units.

As the Deputy is aware the NCSE is currently preparing to provide policy advice on the educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders.

It is expected that the NCSE will make recommendations on future arrangements that should be in place, where necessary, to improve the nature, extent, planning and delivery of education to children with autism taking into account the need for flexibility given constrained resources.

Top
Share