Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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These issues may have been brought up. I brought up an issue with the school building programme relating to autism classes with the Minister of State which has been sorted to a degree for next year. However, if the build had happened much earlier, we would not have had the issues because the plans had proposed two autism classes and some other facilities. Principals and others have complained about the need to go through the Department and through a consultant. They do not have the sort of hands-on control they had previously in organising these things. When they fall behind it can mean that suddenly the target of next September becomes the September after that.

A lot has been said about the issue relating to the NCSE. While adequate resources have been allocated there, are we reviewing the process for parents looking for places? For the parents of kids with autism or any other additional needs, could we consider a two-year lead-in for admissions? We need something that makes this a bit easier. It would also facilitate the schools and everyone else to have all those pieces in place.