Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The first petition for consideration is petition No. P00023/17 from Ms Judith Clarke and Mr. Shane Dunphy seeking the opening of an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, unit in all primary and secondary schools. They state that parents often have to bring their children to other counties, towns or locations which are miles away from their homes to access schools with ASD classes. This is the third time we have considered this petition. We propose that the committee forward the response of the Minister for Education and Skills to the petitioners and to close the petition. We propose to ask the Department of Education and Skills and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, to take account of the recommendations of all three advocacy groups, to whom we have reached out on this issue. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Chairman said, this petition went back and forth for analysis. This is rightly so because all parliamentarians meet parents in their constituency clinics who are trying to access services for their children. In that respect the response from the autism advocacy organisations was informative because they stressed the most important issue is being able to access the resources when needed. They state that students can access autism classes in both national and secondary schools, and that schools will make provision for an autism class when requested to do so. That is correct, but the issue is that the back up support must be timely. That is the aspect that parliamentarians find most frustrating.

The advocacy organisations point out that 86% of autistic children attend mainstream schools, yet the SNAs require no formal training. I welcome their participation which was helpful to the debate. I thank the petitioners for raising this issue and opening up the debate between the Department of Education and Skills and the advocacy groups. That has been worthwhile.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I thank Deputy Cassells. I call Senator Buttimer.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I thank the petitioners for submitting the petition. The important point is that we ensure we support the access to services and supports, as outlined in the response. It is also critical that we recognise the investment in autism services through the provision of special classes and special needs assistants. I made the point during our discussion in private session that we need to see a more co-ordinated approach between the different organisations and entities involved in the provision of ASD units whether in primary or post-primary education. Sometimes there is a missed connection in the delivery of services. The advocacy organisation give a detailed response.

I accept the Chairman's proposal to close the petition but I think it is important to keep an eye on the roadblocks in the provision of services, notwithstanding the significant investment in autism services. Should another petition on this subject arise, we should revert to it.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I thank Senator Buttimer. I call Deputy Murphy.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the two previous speakers. I welcome the petition from Ms Clarke and Mr. Dunphy. We must realise that providing an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, unit in all primary and secondary schools in every county in Ireland presents a challenge, and is particularly challenging in my own county, Roscommon.

The incidence of autism is particularly high in County Roscommon, but we have not found the reason for it.

May I suggest that we invite Autism Ireland to appear before the committee to update ourselves on the situation? I agree with Senator Buttimer that we retain a focus on this issue. There is a great deal of good work being done by schools, by the Department, by parents groups and by the advocacy groups, but it would be a good idea if the Chairman and the secretariat were to organise a discussion with Autism Ireland in the autumn.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I appreciate Deputy Murphy's suggestion and we can liaise with the Joint Committee on Education and Skills to ensure there is no crossover between what we and they do. That is a valid suggestion.

The next petition for consideration is petition No. P00025/18. This petition objects to abortion on demand and would like to see abortion on demand up to 12 weeks of pregnancy abolished. It is proposed that the committee deem the petition to be inadmissible under Standing Order 111C(1) (a). Is that agreed? Agreed.

The final petition for consideration is petition No. P00010/18. This petition concerns the consolidation of statutory instruments instead of amending them. The petitioner proposes that consolidating statutory instruments would be publicly beneficial as it would make laws more accessible and transparent to all and could result in the reduction of legal fees. It is proposed that the committee would close the petition, forward a copy of the responses from the Office of the Attorney General and the Law Reform Commission to the petitioner and inform the petitioner of the upcoming report by the Law Reform Commission on this issue. Is that agreed? Agreed.