As I previously advised in the PQ response to which the Deputy refers, my Department's child centred policy is based on advice received from NEPS, the Inspectorate and the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism and takes full account of advice from a range of international experts on autism. I did not refer to any particular individual but noted that the various contributors who have informed this policy are numerous. The Task Force which was set up in 2000 comprised a combination of parents, education and health professionals, advocates and researchers. I am aware that the member to whom the Deputy refers has a professional qualification in ABA, however I do not have sufficient information available to me to state definitively the she is the only member with such a qualification. I am also aware that the member in question subsequently engaged publically on the development of the policy.The Deputy will be aware that I have asked the NCSE to provide policy advice on the educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders. The NCSE has advised that the policy advice will be delivered in the spring of 2015 and will draw upon findings gathered from an extensive consultation process which has already commenced. The advice will also draw upon new research commissioned by the NCSE for this purpose as well as any other research which may be available and which the NCSE considers merits consideration. It will be open to all interested parties to contribute to the consultation process for the policy advice and I expect that the NCSE final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.
