Vol. 536 No. 1
156 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science when the review regarding salary and conditions applicable to special needs classroom assistants who are employed in second level schools will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13347/01]
I expect the review referred to by the Deputy will be completed by mid-June. I will inform him of the outcome.
157 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is appropriate for existing service providers in the area of education for autistic children to be involved in the evaluation of alternative methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13348/01]
158 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that the CABAS method of teaching autistic children can be adequately considered and assessed in view of the terms of reference and professional representation of the Government Task Force on Autism; and when this report is expected. [13349/01]
159 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the work being carried out by the CABAS project in Cork for autistic children, which is quantifiable in respect of each child's progress, he will approve this project as a permanent service provided for autistic children; if he will provide the necessary financial resources to enable increased enrolments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13350/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 159, inclusive, together.
The Task Force on Autism is comprised of people with a wide range of expertise and experience in the education of children with autism. The task force has also had the benefit of presentations from experts in the field of autism from the United States and Northern Ireland. In addition, the task force has received and considered more than 100 submissions from interested parties.
I understand the task force expects to hold its final meetings during this month and to present its report shortly thereafter.
The remit of the task force was to review the adequacy of the current range of educational responses to children with autism, including responses based on the applied behavioural analysis method, and to make recommendations on the future development of services for the children in question.
