Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I compliment Deputy Wallace on her appointment. There are so few women in this House that it is always a pleasure to congratulate a woman achieving high office. I wish her well.

I welcome the opportunity to raise this matter and I welcome the parents of young children with autism who have taken the trouble to travel to Leinster House tonight at short notice. These parents approached me and other public representatives in County Wicklow due to their deep concern about the future of the educational facility upon which they depend and in which they vest great hope for their children.

I pay tribute to St. Catherine's school and its pre-school facility. The principal and staff do innovative work and their reputation is of the highest standard. The ABA facility opened in 2004, originally under the auspices of the patron, St. Catherine's Services. In 2005 two classes were sanctioned by the Department of Education and Science but it was quickly obvious that demand was greater than what was provided for. St. Catherine's took in an additional nine children and was given to understand that sanction for these children would be forthcoming from the Department. The signals were that if one could prove demand existed, it would be catered for, and it was on that basis that the children were accepted. However, to this day, that sanction has been denied the school.

The parents have now been informed that from 31 March, the service for unsanctioned children will have to be discontinued because of the burden being placed on the patron. It is insupportable that parents find themselves in such a terrible situation. I urge the Minister to sanction places for the nine children as well as providing for the ongoing education needs of the children at Barnacoyle.

We must remember that this process does not end on completion of pre-school and that issues relating to these children need to be dealt with into the future. St. Catherine's objective is to provide this vital service for each child up to the age of 18. Surely, in a country awash with money, the Minister can provide for these most vulnerable of our citizens. The Barnacoyle parents group made the following point:

The State has a moral duty to every child to provide the most effective means of education. We as parents feel that the most appropriate form of education to be delivered to our children is ABA.

Surely we can meet that need.

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