Vol. 571 No. 3
35 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of funding for therapists for children with autism at Lucan Educate Together school; and the reason his Department queried whether therapies were a need or beneficial. [21545/03]
The position is that the school in question applied to my Department for funding towards the continuation of specific therapies within the school. The therapies include art therapy, Stretch & Grow – a specific exercise and health programme – and music therapy. General responsibility for the provision of therapy services is a matter for the health authorities and my officials have contacted the Department of Health and Children to acquaint them with the proposal. I should point out that therapists were recruited and the therapies put into practice in the school before any application was made to my Department for funding.
