Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. As I said, I appreciate the Department is under pressure on this issue, which arises every year. Every Deputy will have met the same problem. However, I do not get a sense that the Minister of State realises how serious this issue is for some families in certain places. When there are no special needs, parents can make plans from the time their child is in preschool for what primary school he or she will attend. For children who need an ASD class, parents have only a couple of months' notice on a yearly basis.

The process must be reviewed and it must be done in a much better way. I make no apologies for raising the situation in Carrick-on-Suir. However, it is not the only area in which parents are scrambling for spaces. I appreciate the Minister of State's indication that there will be extra classes in County Tipperary. She did not answer my question as to whether a class will be provided in the new Gaelscoil in Carrick-on-Suir, as indicated in the reply to my parliamentary question. Will she confirm whether the Gaelscoil will get the new class for the six students? Will she ensure the system is reviewed for the provision of the new places that are coming on line to ensure it will not involve parents having to scramble for places in the middle of the summer, with September on their mind for their children getting an education?

That is the biggest worry for many people. I will forward the case in Tipperary town that I mentioned to the Minister of State. I appreciate what has been done and what has been spent in the budget but it is still not enough for families that are struggling to find places for their children. Will she confirm that the Gaelscoil in Carrick-on-Suir that will get the extra ASD class?

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