Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

250 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the education needs of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 for whom no suitable place has been found in Ireland and who needs funding for his continued participation in Boston Higachi school; if he will make funding available for this purpose in view of the fact that other Irish children are already supported by health boards in this school; and, if funding will not be provided, the service that will be offered by his Department for him, including the location, the teaching programme, the back-up professional services and the earliest date on which this service can be made available based on the detailed assessment of the boy's autistic condition already made available to his Department. [27011/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I understand that an educational placement has been offered to the child in question at St. Paul's special school in Beaumont or in special class provision in Donnycarney or Finglas. I recently announced a series of important new developments in the special education area. These included my Department's formal recognition of the distinct educational needs of certain children with autism and the introduction of a special pupil teacher ratio of 6:1 and child care support for such children.

In the current school year, a number of special classes catering specifically for children with autism have been established in both primary schools and special schools. To date, a total of 14 such special classes have been established in mainstream primary schools and a further nine classes in special schools. This includes a total of four special classes in the Donnycarney and Finglas areas in which the pupil referred to has been offered placement. Each class, which caters for a maximum of six children, receives the support of a class teacher, a child care assistant and enhanced capitation funding. In addition, an outreach support service is provided by the relevant health authority. These services continue to be available for the child in question. It is my intention to continue to make such provision available to children with autism who require such a response.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

251 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is sanctioned a personal assistant up to Christmas will continue to have this facility made available to her after Christmas. [27031/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. I recently announced a major new initiative in the special education area under which all children assessed as having special educational needs will be entitled to an automatic response to those needs. The level and nature of the response in each case will depend on the assessed needs of the child or group of children involved. The response may take the form of full or part-time teacher support or child care support depending on the number of children involved and the nature of their needs.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, as part of this major development in special needs provision, arrangements are being made to ensure that the child in question will continue to have the support of a child care assistant after Christmas. My Department will be in contact with the child's school very shortly in relation to this matter.