Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Many parents of children with autism have contacted me to say they have major concerns that their children will not have a school place this September due to the lack of available spaces in ASD classes right across counties Meath and Westmeath. One school I contacted has three ASD classes. It feels it has done its fair share in this regard, while other schools do not have a single ASD class and, it appears, some do not have any plans to open any. Several of the parents who contacted me said it looks like their children will have to travel two to three hours daily commuting to a school with an ASD class. This is not good enough for these children who may suffer from a lack of social skills. Many have built up friendships in their own communities. One parent I am dealing with has contacted more than 12 schools and been told that each of them is oversubscribed. The fact is that numerous children with autism do not have appropriate school places for September 2024. Of the 23 secondary schools in County Meath, only 16 have ASD classes. Of more than 100 national schools, only 42 have ASD classes. Are these parents going to have a place for their children in September? An ASD class in their communities or nearby certainly must be offered to these children and their parents.

See this speech in context