Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad we are discussing this topic, about which the Minister has heard me contribute on many times previously, because one of the greatest tragedies is what we lose out on when we do not invest properly in young people with disabilities.

I am glad the Minister referred to the Minister of State with responsibility for special education, Deputy Madigan. I welcome this initiative and others that will follow but we must address the issues at second level. I know of a 15-year-old boy with autism who has not been at school since last September. The school is looking for the resources but the SENOs and others are refusing to give them. In fact, they are working from the point of view that the school must somehow be wasting hours or something. I was glad to see 1,000 new SNAs announced in the budget yesterday but if we go on another three weeks and people do not get what they need within those schools, we are not giving them the chance. I will work with the Minister in whatever way possible to make things happen for young people with disabilities, and autism in particular.

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