Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Strategies are all fine, and it is true that principals will deal with children in some instances, but in others the principal will be- damn glad to see the child gone out the door and will not be too worried about whether the child comes back. Sadly, all too often that relates to children on the autism spectrum. One parent was quoted as saying that a poor understanding of the child's behaviour is sometimes caused by the way in which the staff deal with his anxiety within the school. Tusla is not fulfilling its role to that cohort of children, that is, those who are on the autism spectrum, because it is a case of out of sight, out of mind. It is a damning indictment of Tusla that 91% of parents of children on extended absences from school stated they have had no engagement with Tusla, and the reason is this issue is not being measured. It is being ignored and brushed under the carpet.

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