Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a crisis in respect of children with autism getting school places, particularly in second-level schools. There is a paucity of second-level schools that are making places available to young people with autism. Last night, for example, there was a meeting of 60 parents who were told that there are only eight places in a particular location. The situation is that shocking. There is a basic lack of proactivity in terms of the issue. The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill is coming back onto the agenda. The NCSE must be given the authority and the responsibility to engage with schools in order to ensure that all schools are open to accepting units for young people on the autistic spectrum. The number of special units in mainstream second level schools is far too low. What is going on is a scandal. There has been no proactivity.

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