Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Stack is very welcome. Many areas have been covered by the other two Deputies. A great deal of good work is being done in respect of looking at the impact of education on children with special needs, including those with various forms of autism. It is a societal issue because as a society we said we would bring these children into mainstream education. Therefore, we must ensure they get that support all along the way.

I was approached by the parents of a boy who was only diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at 17, having gone through the entire primary and post-primary system. The boy and his family are finding it very difficult to cope with the diagnosis and are finding access to services extremely problematic. How do we ensure that such children get the support of the various disability services and mental health services? I was stunned to hear that diagnosis at such a late stage could happen, even though I am aware that resources have been withdrawn from our schools. I ask Mr. Stack to give his views on the point made by earlier contributors about resources following the child. Is that being examined by the NCSE at present? The same conversation is going on with regard the health service, with many arguing that the money should follow the patient.

Mr. Stack said that a pre-publication copy of policy advice for students with autism spectrum disorders will be available. When will that be published? I also ask Mr. Stack to elaborate on the pilot project for the proposed new model in 47 primary and post-primary schools. Is that going to be continuously revised or will the NCSE reach a point where it determines that the model could work, with some tweaking further down the line?

The Minister introduced legislation recently which provides that every school will have access to the NEPS but that does not mean every child will have such access. What is Mr. Stack's view in that regard?