Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge all the progress made in the last few years on the delivery of ASD classes in particular. I have witnessed it in my constituency where many classes have been sanctioned. Some are still awaiting delivery but nonetheless it is progress. We all know what happened a year ago with the delivery of Carrigaline and the scramble that happened there. Again, it is progress, places were made available and students were catered for. That said, before I came in here this morning I rang the principals of five special schools in Cork, five of the 15 the Minister of State mentioned. All are full for next September. I was listening to Deputy Ó Laoghaire earlier. Specifically, what capacity is available for September? The Minister of State might not have the number here today but I would appreciate if she could get a figure to tell us how many places are available. The families contacting my office and Deputy Ó Laoghaire's office are concerned about the lack of places for September.

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