Former Minister for Education Mary O'Rourke says she would like to see an open approach to the greater provision of Applied Behaviour Analysis for children with autism.
Last night, during a Dáil debate on a Fine Gael motion on the issue, she said she believed there was a 'lingering animosity' within the Department which was causing a blockage in the provision of ABA therapy.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, the Fianna Fáil TD explained her comments.
'What I mean is what I said,' said Mrs O'Rourke. 'I feel that the door is not fully open within the Department of Education to the idea of embracing ABA, as I said, in a full blooded way.'
She added that it was a good thing that there was a mix of educational provision on autism, but said that 'the effect ABA has on children with autism is huge'.
Fine Gael spokesman on Education Brian Hayes said he believed that the Government was obliged to provide the model of education identified as most suitable for each pupil.
He said that the parents of autistic children want their children to receive a proper psychological assessment.
'At the end of that assessment,' he said, 'if it shows on a professional basis that ABA is the model for that particular child, I believe we have a constitutional responsibility to provide that model of education'.
