A new school for children with autism is to open in Limerick. The school, which will be developed by Rehab, will initially provide education for six pre-school and 24 primary school children from the Limerick area.
The number of places will be increased to 60 over four years.
Fine Gael TD Michael Noonan said yesterday that the new school would be located at Cloughkeating in Mungret.
"When final details have been approved by the Department of Education and Science, Rehab will set about project planning, including the establishment of the board of management and recruitment of staff," Mr Noonan said. "I welcome the decision by Rehab, it is great news for children with autism in Limerick and their parents. I now urge the Department of Education and Science to fully support the proposal so that the school will be opened as soon as possible."
Children attending the new school will be aged from three to 12 and will have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and be unable to access mainstream education due to the nature of their disability or because of behaviours which change.
"The school will provide multi-element education which draws on a wide range of theories, ideas, techniques and methods and can encourage cross-fertilisation to meet the specific needs of each child who attends," Mr Noonan said.
It would provide one-to-one teaching in certain cases and also place importance on group work to develop social skills.
Initially, 19 staff will be employed - a principal, five teachers, 12 special needs assistants and one administrative staff member.