Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Children with additional needs in south Tipperary are in crisis. Parents have had 13 rejections from schools and, if they can get their children into a unit, are travelling up to an hour to get there. There are currently no units in the towns of Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel or Cahir, although a new school is under way in Cahir and there will be a unit in that. We are delighted that a new Gaelscoil is being built in Carrick-on-Suir, for which, thankfully, the objections have been withdrawn. There is a crisis in autism spectrum disorder, ASD, services. It is not fair on parents or children to have to travel that distance. To get 13 rejections for a child who needs special supports must be heart-rending. I cannot imagine it. As I said, they have to travel up to an hour. I ask the Taoiseach to please try to do something to alleviate that.

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