Vol. 566 No. 1
318 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the report on autism presented to his Department in 2001 was officially launched and published by his Department; his views on the recommendations contained in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11691/03]
The report referred to by the Deputy was not officially launched but was placed on my Department's website www.education.ie in November 2001. It was subsequently published in March 2002 and is available from the Government Publications Sales Office. The report of the task force in question contains approximately 180 recommendations, ranging from measures aimed at identifying prevalence rates and early intervention, through issues relating to diagnosis and assessment, the centrality of the role of parents, the required models of education and health care services and the need for specialist training for those involved in service provision, to structural, constitutional and policy issues.
My Department's key focus to date has been on progressing the fundamental structural and legislative measures which are necessary to underpin the development of services for persons with autism in line with the task force's recommendations.
A key development on the structural front has been the Government's decision to approve the establishment of the national council for special education. The national council, which will have a local presence, will play a key role in the development and delivery of services for persons with special needs, including persons with autism. It will have a research and advisory role and will establish expert groups to address particular areas of special needs provision. It will also establish a consultative forum to facilitate inputs from the education partners and other interested parties. A chief executive was appointed to the council recently and it is intended that the council will be vested shortly.
It is also my intention to bring forward legislation as soon as possible to copper-fasten the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities, including persons with autism. The objective of this leglisation, which will be based on the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2002, will be to provide a statutory basis for education services for persons with disabilities, including persons with autism. The Bill will provide a clear and enforceable statement in law of the rights of children and adults who, because of disabilities, have special educational needs.
