Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In 2019, the national autism empowerment strategy was passed here unanimously. Families with autism have to fight for absolutely everything. If we had a strategy, it would ensure that we have enough neurodiverse places in our schools. With the strategy, we would have proper supports for children in secondary school. My colleague, Senator Boylan, and I recently met with Autism Equality Dublin Bay parents group. They raised with us the fact that one school in Sandymount, the Shelleybanks Educate Together School, will not be opening an ASD class in September. It is really difficult to understand how any school in this day and age would not want to have an ASD class. I understand that the Department has made resources available to the school and the capacity is there, yet it will still not open a class. This is unacceptable and shameful. I think the Minister of State would agree with that. I call on the Minister of State to directly intervene and compel the Shelleybanks Educate Together School in Sandymount to open an ASD class in September.

Like every community, we have children with additional needs. Every morning they should be able to walk through the school gates with their brothers and sisters. It is ironic that the school's name contains the phrase "Educate Together", yet it refuses to educate all children together. The Involve Autism advocacy group has harvested the facts to show how much is being spent on bussing children out of their communities in Dublin 6 and 6W. The lack of ASD class places in these two communities is shocking. There are 20 schools in Dublin 6 and 6W and there are no ASD classes in Dublin 6. Despite the section 37A process, there are no ASD classes in the area. The Minister of State needs to intervene and compel schools to open additional needs classes in Dublin 6 and 6W. No amount of resistance from the board of management of the Shelleybanks Educate Together School can be tolerated. A lack of resources cannot be used as an excuse. I do not believe that it is an excuse. The lack of will to provide the classes by the school and the board of management is the biggest obstacle, at board level and political level.

This issue does not only impact on primary schools, it also impacts on secondary schools. The national autism impairment strategy would address this deficit. We need ministerial action and intervention with the schools that are pushing back against families and children with autism.

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