Specialist autism unit gains funding

By Seán McCárthaigh THE first specialist educational unit for teaching autistic children at a national school has been approved for funding by the Department of Education.

The High Court heard yesterday that three Wexford couples had agreed a settlement in a case taken against the Minister for Education and Children, Noel Dempsey, on behalf of their autistic children Evan Murphy, six, Derek Dodebier, five, and Mark Howlin, six, all of Wexford town.

Under the terms of the settlement, the State will fund the Applied Behavioural Analysis unit at Scoil Mhuire National School in Coolcotts, Wexford. It is estimated that the unit will cost 40,000 per pupil per year.