Autism Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Questions (251)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

251. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 101 of 2 April 2014, in view of the fact he was already in receipt of the various reports from the National Council for Special Education, as outlined in his reply, the reason it is necessary for him to further request the NCSE to prepare policy advice on the educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders; and the reason the previous NCSE reports referred to by him did not allow his Department to prepare and publish the policy document on educating children with autism promptly as recommended by the Ombudsman for Children in October 2012. [17769/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As previously advised, policy advice has been provided by the NCSE on a range of issues including the Future Role of Special Schools and Classes in Ireland, the Education of Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and the Education of Students with Challenging Behaviour Arising from an Emotional /Behavioural Disorders. However the advice was not autism specific and the current policy advice being prepared by NCSE will specifically relate to the educational provision for children with autism.

The aforementioned reports did not prohibit my Department from preparing or publishing any documents on the education of children with autism.

As I previously advised the Deputy my Department commenced collating a statement of existing policy on the education of children with autism last year. Subsequently I requested the NCSE to prepare Policy Advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. I am confident that the policy advice, when it has been delivered will provide the level of clarity which was the purpose of the Ombudsman's 2012 encouragement.