Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2006
353 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received and examined a proposal from ACORN ABA school to set up a school on Dublin’s northside for 12 children with autism; when she expects to be able to make a decision on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7350/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra356 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is in a position to sanction funding of the proposal from a school (details supplied) to establish a unit in north Dublin for 12 autistic children; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that such a proposal was made to her Department eight months ago and still awaits a final response; and if she will undertake to expedite this matter as soon as possible. [7398/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 356 together.
My Department has received a further report from the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, on the application in question. This is currently being considered and my officials will revert to the NCSE if further information is required. My officials will notify all relevant parties when a decision on the application has been made. I wish to assure the Deputies that I am most anxious that all children, including children with autistic spectrum disorders, receive an education appropriate to their needs. It is in recognition of this that the Department currently provides the following facilities for the education of children with autism: 159 special classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools; 15 pre-school classes; five special classes for children with Asperger's syndrome; and 12 stand-alone facilities providing an applied behavioural analysis specific methodology. I wish to inform the Deputies that many of the children being proposed for the unit in question are currently in existing autism specific provision.
