Dáil Éireann - Volume 592 - 17 November, 2004

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Ms Enright Ms Enright

1297

[1297]   591. Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on the recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 that special classes specifically developed for children with an ASD aged five and under be established in mainstream and some special schools and that these be differentiated on the basis of need and level of functioning; if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which; if not completed, when it will be completed. [29485/04]

Ms Hanafin Ms Hanafin

  Ms Hanafin: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has established eight pre-school classes for children with autism, four in Dublin and four in Cork. Additional pre-school classes for children with autism may be established, as appropriate.

In addition, my Department may sanction home tuition grants for children with autism who are of pre-school age and for whom a home educational programme is considered appropriate.

Ms Enright Ms Enright

  592. Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on the recommendation in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 that pre-school children with an ASD be eligible for provision under the home tuition scheme; if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29486/04]

Ms Hanafin Ms Hanafin

  Ms Hanafin: My Department currently sanctions home tuition for pre-school age children with autism, as appropriate. Any other interventions being provided for the children in question are taken into consideration when determining the appropriate level of home tuition provision.

Question No. 593 answered with Question No. 577.

Questions Nos. 594 to 598, inclusive, answered with Question No. 577.

Ms Enright Ms Enright

  599. Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on the recommendations (details supplied) in the report of the task force on autism of October 2001 that the NEPS be authorised to become involved with pre-school and early services programmes; if such a recommendation has been carried out; if so, the extent to which; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29493/04]

Ms Hanafin Ms Hanafin

1298

  Ms Hanafin: The process of developing the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, dates [1298] back to a Government decision of February 1999. The decision included agreement to the establishment of NEPS, giving it delegated authority to develop and provide an educational psychological service to all students who need it in primary and post-primary schools and in other relevant centres supported by my Department. The decision also agreed that there should be an initial development period of five years.

NEPS has now reached the end of its development period, during which time there have been many changes in the educational system, some of which have implications for the work and mandate of NEPS. For example, a number of reports, including that of the task force on autism, have been produced that have possible implications for its role. The recent establishment of the National Council for Special Education also will affect the work of NEPS. For these reasons, an intensive process of strategic review, including consultations with relevant sections of my Department and other stakeholders, is under way in relation to NEPS at present. Issues such as the development of a psychological service for children and young people outside the mainstream school system will be considered as part of that process.

Question No. 600 answered with Question No. 543.

Question No. 601 answered with Question No. 577.

Dáil Éireann 592 Written Answers. Special Educational Needs.

Questions

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