Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While I welcome a stand-alone committee dealing with disabilities, I do not see autism as a disability; I see it as a different ability, I suppose. There was agreement that the State was failing children with autism and their families and we saw many cases where children's hours were being cut at school because they did not have the proper services or resources available. In many cases children did not attend school at all as a result. We all agreed that was a national scandal at the time.

The failure to make a diagnosis in adequate time for school applications and the lack of places available for autistic children in autism spectrum disorder classes amounts to a denial of a child's right to education. These factors have created a two-tier system in our education sector. It is important that we consider this matter. I take the point about writing to the new committee Chairman detailing my points. I thank the Minister of State for her answer.

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