Vol. 494 No. 4
447 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the outreach programme and its development on the northside of Dublin; if he will list the schools involved; if the scheme is suitable for students with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18667/98]
I have recently established two special classes for children with autism in each of the following mainsteam national schools: St. Brigid's senior girls national school, Finglas, Dublin 11. Scoil Chiaráin C.B.S., Donnycarney, Dublin 5. I have allocated two teaching and two child care assistant posts to each of the classes. In addition, St. Paul's special school, Beaumont, Dublin 9, also caters for children with autism.
The health related support services, which are to be provided by the Eastern Health Board on an outreach basis, for children with autism attending special classes established by my Department on the north-west side of Dublin, include psychological speech and language, occupational therapy, nursing and social work services.
I understand that the additional posts required to put the service in place will be advertised shortly. The intention is to have similar outreach services to those provided on the southside of the city in place by the end of the year. The enhanced outreach team based in Beechpark, Stillorgan, will initially provide support to the children in the special classes on the north-west side of the city.
