Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2000

Vol. 527 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

143 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will fund a special school unit to cater for the needs of an autistic person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if identification of a number of children with similar needs is a prerequisite to the establishment of such a unit; if so, if he will indicate the minimum number of children per unit; if cognisance will be taken of the preference of this child's parents as to the school in which the special unit is to be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27899/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I understand that the needs of the child in question have not previously been brought to my Department's attention. However, I have requested my Department's inspectorate to investigate as a matter of urgency the level of special support required by the child in question. On receipt of the inspector's report, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities regarding the matter.

Under present arrangements, each special class for pupils with autism caters for a maximum of six pupils. Each class is served by a teacher and a special needs assistant. The pupils are also supported by the relevant health authority which has responsibility for providing any necessary therapeutic services.

I recently announced a package of new measures to enhance the quality and range of special education services available to children with autism. These measures include a doubling of the current level of special needs assistant support provided to each special class catering for children with autism. They also include an extension of the school year through the month of July in the case of special facilities catering for children with autism.

Each decision to establish a special class for children with autism has regard to the number of children assessed as requiring the service and their locations. While no class is required to cater for more than six children, classes can be established to cater for lesser numbers where the circumstances warrant such a response. The decision in each case has regard to the level of identified and anticipated need for such a facility in an area. In selecting locations for such classes, every effort is made to accommodate the wishes of the parents of the children involved. However, it is also necessary to have regard to the views of schools in the area and their willingness to accommodate such a class.