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

We can quote the global figures. However, the number of children with special needs is growing. We had an increase in the number of schoolgoing children generally across the board, which does result in increased provision of teachers and SNAs to meet that demographic increase. Last year, about 850 children were availing of home tuition, which reveals an absence of school places for them. In Youghal, for example, there is no second level unit for autism in the school catchment area. I assume other Deputies would have other cases within their own areas. There is no plan for second level. In my own constituency over the last six years, about two schools have been providing for second level pupils with autism. A teacher in Cork brought all the Deputies together and asked us to sponsor an amendment to give power to the Minister to engage with schools to provide for children with special needs. Too many schools have no unit for children with autism. There is no proactivity from the Minister or the Department of Education and Skills. They are standing back, detached. There is a policy of containment. There is a fundamental lack of advocacy for the children within the education service. These children deserve a place in second level without the terrible struggle, daily battles and fighting that was revealed again last night in the "Prime Time" piece on Gillian and Darren. We thank them for having the courage to tell us their struggle because it shines a light on the struggles of many other parents in similar situations. I ask the Taoiseach to do something about this once and for all.

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