Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Normally in new primary schools, there are at least two special classes and in post-primary schools, there are between two and four special classes. We have approximately 1,600 special classes in the country. That is a high figure when compared with 548 such classes in 2011. Of the 200 school projects that we have at present, 116 will have autism spectrum disorder units, five of which will be in Galway, where Senator O'Reilly comes from. The NCSE meets the Department every week to discuss forecasting and ensure that we always have enough places.