Vol. 495 No. 6
2 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to set up an expert review group to report and suggest recommendations on the education of those with autism, Asperger's syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20834/98]
Children suffering from these conditions have access to a range of education services. In some cases, the severity of the condition is such that placement in a special school or special class is required. A range of such facilities is available. Each special facility is dedicated to children in a particular disability range and each enjoys special reduced pupil/teacher ratios and other support services.
In some cases, the condition may be sufficiently mild to allow the child to function successfully in an ordinary school setting with the assistance, if necessary, of a remedial teacher, a resource teacher or a visiting teacher. Particular supports provided by the Department for the conditions mentioned by the Deputy include the following. The Department has been operating a pilot education programme for autistic children in Beech-park, Stillorgan, Cratlow, County Clare and Dundalk. This programme delivers a specially devised education programme for autistic children. Each class enjoys a pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a child care assistant. Arrangements are currently being made to establish further special classes for children with autism in various locations around the country.
Fully qualified primary teachers are trained to deal with a variety of reading problems, including those accompanied by perceptual difficulties, namely, specific learning disabilities or dyslexia. In addition, the special training programme for remedial teachers includes a module on specific learning disability. Where more serious conditions arise, provision is made in special schools and special classes dedicated to such children. There are four such special schools at present. Special classes can be established as required.
In the case of children who manifest symptoms of dyspraxia, these children can be catered for in special schools and special classes, depending on their particular needs. The Department will arrange for the establishment of additional special classes to cater for children with attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if adequate numbers of suitably assessed children emerge.
Where special needs children are concerned, the needs of each child must be considered on an individual basis and provision made accordingly. I can assure the Deputy that policies in this area are kept under review in light of emerging knowledge and research.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. Does he agree the time has now come to move on from the findings of the review group on special education in terms of addressing these particular conditions? It is necessary to address the anguish and stress of parents who have to go outside the public system to have these conditions diagnosed, sometimes when the children have been through virtually all their primary school education. It is not much more than 50 years since autism was first identified. Special attention is necessary to find out the extent of the conditions and there is need for more specialist provision in these areas.
I agree with the thrust of the point being made by Deputy O'Shea. A task force has been established in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children to establish a database on autistic children which will allow us identify pockets of such children throughout the country. This will allow us establish special classes to cater for their particular needs.
Much research is being done and contact has been made with education departments in other jurisdictions in relation to research on how best the education system can respond to children who have the misfortune to suffer this condition. The Department's inspectorate has been directed to establish the parts of the country where children with the various reading difficulties referred to in the question such as dyslexia or behavioural difficulties like attention deficit disorder are located so we can establish extra special classes for those concerned. We are conscious of the problem.
There is a separate question concerning the special education review group, but substantial progress has been made by successive Governments since 1993 when the group reported on implementing the recommendations of the report.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The basic point I ask him to address is the importance of finding out the extent of the problems within the education system. I am alarmed by the number of diagnoses in the private sector and that people who can ill-afford it are paying as much as £20 per hour for extra tuition for these children. I ask the Minister of State to address these issues. There is an urgency about this matter and I ask him to reconsider his position and put a more practical resource in place.
We are taking action on two fronts to establish the extent of the problem. In relation to autism we are getting the co-operation of the Department of Health and Children to establish a database which will give us the exact figures. In relation to the other difficulties referred to in the Deputy's question, the inspectorate is, as I speak, investigating the situation in various parts of the country and I am sure that on concluding its investigations there will be accurate figures on which to work.
