I propose to take Questions Nos. 594 to 598, inclusive, together.
There is ongoing liaison and collaboration at national, regional and area levels between the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and the Health Service Executive, HSE. Following publication of a NEPS-HSE working group report entitled Achieving Through Partnership in 2002, a joint NEPS-HSE national steering committee was established to oversee the implementation of the report. This committee promotes collaborative working, including the development of agreed work protocols at regional and area levels. It is currently considering the development of joint working projects that should ensure a more co-ordinated approach to the delivery of services at regional level for target groups such as children with autistic spectrum disorders, ASD.
Diagnostic assessment services for children with moderate, severe or profound intellectual disability are the responsibility of the HSE local services. In the case of autism, I understand the HSE has a number of autism diagnostic teams in place in all regions. The provision of therapeutic services is also the responsibility of the HSE. Where children are identified as having severe emotional or child psychiatric difficulties, these children are treated on an individual basis through HSE services.
I understand that over the past two years in Laois and Offaly, the NEPS has provided in-service training for classroom teachers and resource and learning support teachers in the application of best practice in supporting children with autism. I understand NEPS psychologists also provided support to teachers in the development of individual education plans, IEPs, in this context. NEPS is committed to promoting a collaborative approach with the relevant health services in regard to interventions for children with ASD.
The current business plan of NEPS provides for a gradual expansion into special units in mainstream schools and into special schools that do not have access to other psychological services. The first stage is an analysis of needs and increased access to the scheme for commissioning of psychological assessments, SCPA, which NEPS administers, where the analysis indicates this to be necessary. I understand planning in this regard is at an advanced stage. I am hopeful that on completion of this process, NEPS will be in a position to collaborate with HSE services in supporting children with autism placed in mainstream schools and their teachers and parents. I also understand that NEPS aims to incorporate a plan of support for special units into its service provision to schools in 2006-2007.