Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, who I know has a very special interest in this area, well. I also wish the Minister, Deputy McEntee, well.

In the very short amount of time available to me, I want to make just a few points. When I started off in politics, approximately 20 years ago, the number of people who came to me about this issue was minuscule. Now in my clinics, I must deal with eight stages when it comes to interventions for children with autism. Primary education is around stage 4. The volume of people coming to me, not just in advance when looking for a school place but also all year round, is noteworthy. There is a complete disconnect between the NCSE, the Department of Education and SENOs. Parents should not be ringing schools. There needs to be an holistic approach, planned well in advance, for all the children. Since the data exist, why can we not do what is required? That we cannot is beyond me. There is no consistent approach when it comes to the NCSE and SENOs. I deal with a number of those concerned myself. The inconsistent approach is a genuine issue.

Some good news was announced recently with regard to two ASD classes in my old school, St. Joseph's CBS, Nenagh, and also with regard to a special school. The principal of Corville National School, Roscrea, was on to me last week. That school, which has two ASD units, was one of the first. It wants a third unit but is being told there is no funding. There is a waiting list for children whose parents wish to place them in the school. Many of the children have siblings in it. For me, what is happening does not make sense because the school should be facilitated after having done all the work. The critical issue concerns consistency of approach and planning. Planning should be done years in advance because we have the data. I work very closely with the A-Team in Nenagh, an incredible organisation that does so much work. Its frustration level when it comes to this issue is palpable. I am totally with it on that.

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