Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join Deputy McHugh in asking that the assessment be done on the demand for dedicated classes and supports within the Crana College development. It is a worthy proposal. There are many gaps in the autism related supports. In my own area of Inishowen there is good work carried out by the centre for autism related education, or iCare, which operates from funds raised and which has no support from the State. There are many gaps and we must consider how the State can support young people with autism related needs.

We should also consider how we apply resource and special needs hours in mainstream education. There has been an undoubted squeeze in the past couple of years and that will continue this September as the number of special needs assistants and resource teachers will not increase proportionate to the increase in the school-going population. I have asked the Government to consider this and the issue should be addressed.

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