Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the critical lack of autism spectrum disorder units for children in the north-western Kildare area; the measures she proposes to address this issue in the long term; if a satisfactory resolution in the case of a young student (details supplied) is being worked on; if so, the provision that will be made in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25823/15]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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This relates to a lack of second level places for small but consistent number of pupils on the autistic spectrum in north Kildare.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The National Council for Special Education, through its network of local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs support, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail on provision in north-western Kildare to be forwarded to the NCSE for its attention and direct reply. The NCSE is aware of a growing need for autism provision at post primary level in the area and is actively liaising with schools in this context. The NCSE has also advised that the local SENO is actively engaged with the parent of the child referred to with a view to securing a school placement.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I wish that were the case. I am sure the Minister has referred it and there will be another round of discussions with the same parent, who has been on the merry-go-round with the same discussions for a considerable period of time and is constantly told to apply to other schools a considerable distance away, in one case a one and a half hour bus journey away. This particular child, who is not the only one, has a physical disability that makes long journeys impossible. It is very stressful for the parent involved who has received refusals twice or three times by other schools. How many refusals are required before it becomes clear to the National Council for Special Education that a place will not be provided in other schools which are a considerable distances away?

A school in Edenderry has made a commitment to provide second level education for children on the autistic spectrum within this catchment area but there is a space issue. That is where the solution is most likely to be found. However, it will not be found unless it has the physical place to accommodate the children. It is very difficult for people who already have a challenging life because of a child with a disability to be given the extra burden of trying to resolve this where it should be resolved in a way that causes the least amount of stress.

It is not working so far and the National Council for Special Education has been involved in the case for almost a year. We need a solution immediately.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I can understand the Deputy's view. I have been told there is ongoing engagement, including with schools to see whether an appropriate place can be provided. It is one of the things that is done on an ongoing basis with schools around the country in trying to get special units in getting places for children whose needs are not being met. That engagement will continue and I hope that a place will be provided in the near future. I realise I am not able to inform the Deputy today that there is a place. However, the engagement is ongoing and the efforts are ongoing.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Although I am drawing attention to one child, it is not just that child. It is not a large number of children but this is the one group of children who should not be home-schooled because the whole issue is the socialisation and engagement with other children of the same age. I have a real fear that will be the solution to this, which may be a solution on paper but it is not the best outcome for the child or children in question. It is very important to understand that this will not just be a small number of children in this year but there will be a need into the future because there is a growing young population. The Minister has only to look at her primary school records to establish the schools that are feeder schools with children on the autistic spectrum to give her the evidence that a facility is needed here.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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A growing number of ASD units have been attached to primary and post primary schools, particularly primary schools, in recent years. That is the optimum situation for the child in terms of socialisation, etc. Home schooling is only meant to be used where there is no school solution. We will continue to find a school solution for these children.