Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am also delighted to be able to speak briefly on this on World Autism Awareness Day and compliment everybody involved. My late brother was a paediatrician who was dedicated to issues such as autism, dyspraxia and dyslexia and I learned much from him. We have learned much over the years.

I salute all the families, all the guide dog associations and all the school special units. In my own area near the town of Clonmel we did not have a national school. We had a wonderful preschool. A year and a half ago, my own national school in Newcastle, and, indeed, Burncourt national school set up two units, but people have to travel that distance from the town. This year, Clerihane national school has decided to take two rooms and wants to set out the principles. The teaching staff and the parents' council, and everybody else, including the board of management, have bought into it. We need more of those.

We need more early diagnosis. People should not have to pay large sums to go off and get diagnosis. It is a shame and a scandal to have young people presenting with different symptoms, waiting for assessments and having to go private. That is blackguarding. It is not fair to the people. Families have enough to deal with. With other siblings and everything else, it can be challenging.

I salute the parents and everybody involved. I hope we can make better strides here because earlier diagnosis is vital in any of these cases, especially those with autism.

They must be able to move on.

Holy Trinity national school in Fethard decided in 2017 to go ahead with a unit. Again, it was agreed by parents, teachers, the principal and the board of management, but because of bureaucracy in the Department, the project must be retendered. That should not have to be done when the community wants to buy into the idea. The system should support those schools, as it should support families when it does not. Families need that help and it must be given to them. The Minister of State has much serious examination to do and many blackspots must be sorted out. I welcome all the people to the Gallery and thank them and everybody involved in this area.

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