Brendan Howlin
Ceist:144 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he will take to improve services to autistic children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26468/00]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
I am committed to ensuring that all children with autism have access to the support services they require within the education system.
In keeping with this commitment, I recently announced a range of new measures to enhance the quality and range of special education services available for children with autism. These measures include the immediate introduction of a nationwide pre-school education service for all children with autism; the extension of the school year through the month of July in the case of all special facilities catering for children with autism; and a doubling of the level of special needs assistant cover provided to each special class catering for children with autism.
I am also appointing an internationally recognised expert in the field of autism to advise my Department on the development of services in this area and to liaise with the work of the special task force on autism, which I recently established, and which has been requested to report to me within three months. I am also appointing a clinical psychologist to advise on the needs of individual children with autism.
I am confident that the measures which I have now introduced, coupled with any further developments which prove necessary arising from the task force's report, will ensure that all children with autism receive the support they require within the education system.