Dinny McGinley
Ceist:129 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science the services available to autistic pupils. [9345/99]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Children with autism have access to a range of educational support services. The precise nature of the support provided will depend on the severity of the condition in each individual case.
In some cases, children with a mild degree of autism are capable of being educated in ordinary schools with the support, where necessary, of the remedial or resource teacher services. At present, there are 1,302 remedial teachers and 140 resource teachers within the primary system. My Department is currently arranging to extend the remedial service to all first and second level schools with effect from September next. Further resource teachers will be allocated as required on the basis of assessed levels of need.
Children with more serious needs are now catered for in special facilities which are dedicated to addressing the needs of such children.
I recently announced my Department's formal recognition of the distinct educational needs of certain children with autism. Arising from this development, the children in question are now catered for in special dedicated classes which operate at a pupil teacher ratio of 6:1. Each class also has the support of a special needs assistant.
A total of 40 such classes have been established to date. My Department's Inspectorate is currently investigating the possibility of establishing a number of additional special classes for children with autism in a variety of locations throughout the country.