Mr. Mark O'Connor:

The Deputy is right that if we look at education in the whole this is why schools are so important. Obviously, the main function of any school is to impart a quality education on the children who attend but there are also the many softer things.

Many socialisation activities such as being invited to birthday parties or becoming involved in the local GAA team happen through schools. As the Deputy recognised, it is a very difficult situation.

While travelling to Leinster House today I listened to the RTÉ "Morning Ireland" programme. On it, a mum of three children who have autism related the detrimental impact on her youngest child, a four year old. He has regressed and lost most of his speech. I acknowledge the Deputy's point that regression is certainly a factor. In our survey, families highlighted that children were missing school a lot and missing their friends. Although some of the children could engage through online interaction, many could not. The socialisation piece is what they are really missing. There is a certain amount of routine around school for many of them. Not all people with autism or intellectual disabilities are very rigid in their routine, but many of them like to have a routine. They simply cannot understand why they are unable to go about their normal business and go to school. That is a great difficulty for them and their families.