Vol. 518 No. 6
589 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he has taken to develop a special class for children with autism in the Navan area of County Meath so that the children from the existing two special classes for children with autism, based at Scoil Mhuire, Navan, can graduate to the post-primary special class. [12941/00]
I have asked my Department's inspectorate to look into this issue and to submit a report and recommendation on the matter.
I will keep the Deputy informed of developments.
590 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Education and Science the support available from his Department for a summer camp for the 12 County Meath children with autism attending the two special classes at Navan, County Meath and the five children with autism in the community for whom a proposal to run a summer camp at Scoil Mhuire at a cost of £8,000 during the month of July has been made. [12942/00]
I understand that my Department has not received any request for funding for the project in question.
However, I would point out that all resources currently available to my Department to support children with special needs are directed at the development of in-school support programmes. Resources are not currently available to support summer camps.
591 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a third special class at primary level will be required for the 38 children with autism in the Meath area from September 2000 as the two existing primary classes are full. [12943/00]
The issue raised by the Deputy has not previously been brought to my attention.
However, I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate the need for the establishment of a third special class for children with autism in the area in question.
592 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the case of a 13 year old boy (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is out of school due to the fact that his previous school was unable to cater for his needs; if he will ensure that an inspector from his Department makes contact with his family without delay and that adequate arrangements are put in place to ensure that this boy's education is not interrupted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12944/00]
My Department is not aware of this case.
The selection of pupils for enrolment in second level schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of individual schools. In exceptional circumstances, my Department provides assistance to parents who encounter difficulty in securing a suitable school placement.
In order to progress this case further my Department has been in contact with the child's parents/guardians to help identify his educational needs and provide my Department with their written permission to contact schools and the national educational psychological service – NEPS – on their behalf.
