Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and acknowledge the huge amount of work he has done in bringing autism to the fore and ensuring it is firmly front and centre on the Government agenda. The programme for Government clearly sets out and clearly prioritises the need to implement an autism innovation strategy and put it on a statutory footing, so that something will always be there and that this will be a strategy that will not just be published once but will be renewed and remain on the agenda.

I compliment the work done by the Deputy, as Chair of the autism committee, not only in bringing together Members of this House but also in engaging with advocacy groups, parents and, in particular, young people to understand what we need to do to support people who are autistic and those who are neurodiverse and make sure this remains firmly on the agenda. The Deputy mentioned the 80 actions in the recommendations and plan. A huge amount of work is already happening. For example, under my remit in the Department of Education, it is essential that every single child, come next September or whenever they are due to go to school, not only has a place in school that they are constitutionally entitled to but also the place that is right for them, with the right supports they need to thrive and fulfil their potential.

In that regard, in the last number of weeks the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and I have been engaging extensively with the National Council for Special Education. To date, of the 400 special education classrooms we have committed to, 390 have been sanctioned. By tomorrow, the remainder will be sanctioned. Those that are not will have section 37A directions issued in respect of them to ensure classrooms are available. Most importantly, we are writing today to the NCSE to ensure every single school that is now being sanctioned proceeds with its enrolment process and that children identified through the NCSE as needing a special place will be prioritised and offered one as quickly as possible.

We are aware that so many young people who need special education classrooms who are in special schools or who need additional resources are children with autism. That is a really important element in making sure the actions, priorities and commitments are acted upon and in terms of the CDNTs and in making sure that not only in our schools but also outside them, within our communities, we support people with autism, including young people with autism. Every effort is being made by the Minister for Health and the Minister of State responsible for disabilities to ensure the CDNTs are filled. In that regard, there is a very clear commitment in the programme for Government to double the number of places within universities and colleges so we have more therapists, including OTs and speech and language therapists, to support our young people and those with autism in their communities, schools, homes and hospital settings.

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