Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Mannion and Ms McGrath for their opening statements. Regrettably, I want to ask questions once again about an issue that is very prominent in my constituency. It relates to the shortage of autism special classes at primary level in Dublin 4, 6 and 6W. I preface these questions by giving the committee some statistics. It is known that the average proportion of autism special class places at a national level stands at about one place for every 100 students. Unfortunately, in Dublin 4, 6 and 6W, it is seven times lower than that, with the average standing at about 0.154%. What are the proposed timelines to resolve a lack of provision in Dublin 4, 6 and 6W? The area stands out as markedly different from the rest of the country in terms of the number of ASD classes provided.