Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Is the Taoiseach aware that there are children as young as six who are being excluded and, in a number of cases, expelled from primary school in the early years? A high proportion of the children so excluded or expelled are affected by autism and have behavioural issues in addition. In the Dublin region, there are seven special schools dealing with the children with a high level of need. Many of these children are non-verbal. They also have sensory issues, including in respect of noise, light and being involved with groups of people. In my constituency and that of the Taoiseach, which includes Dublin 15 and part of Dublin 7, which has a population of more than 120,000, there are no facilities for children on the autism spectrum with a high level of need. Parents are at their wits' end. Children, teachers and principals in schools who are trying to do their best cannot cope unless they are resourced with facilities such as a special school.

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