Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be granted an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit on its premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22667/23]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Tagann ceist Uimh. 66 ón Teachta Doherty. Níl ach trí nóiméad fágtha againn.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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I know the parents and board of management of St. Eunan's National School in the town of Raphoe have written to the Minister of State. A number of children who have a full diagnosis need an ASD classroom. There is a spare classroom in the school, and the board of management want to have an ASD classroom. This year, we have seen the terrible situation of a child having to leave the school in their catchment area because there was no ASD classroom in it. All three children I have spoken about have siblings in the school. They are seeing one child bussed off outside the catchment area while others go to the school within their catchment area. This discrimination needs to end. The classroom is there. I ask the Minister of State to sanction an ASD room and staff.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. It is important to stress that education is a right under the Constitution, as has just been mentioned here. That obviously applies to children with additional needs as well. What the State endeavours to do in the first instance is to get an appropriate placement for children with additional needs. Sometimes they have to travel, which is not desirable. We always endeavour to provide appropriate placements for children in their own localities. I understand that St. Eunan's National School made an application. I appreciate the efforts of the board of management in that regard. I have questioned the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, on the matter because, as Minister of State with responsibility for special education, I obviously very much welcome the initiative of a school that wants to open a special class when we sometimes have to use legislation to compel schools to do so. I certainly welcome the school's initiative but the NCSE tells me that there is sufficient capacity in the near environs of that particular school. It says that Scoil Bhríde in Convoy has one place available, Dromore National School has five places available and St. Baithin's National School in St. Johnston has two places available. The NCSE is not saying "No" but it is saying "Not right now". This is something that will be welcomed in the future.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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The problem with the NCSE saying "Not right now" is that a child had to leave that school and must now go outside the catchment area. Their siblings are still at the school. In September, another child, who has a full diagnosis of ASD and two siblings in the school, will have to separate from his or her brothers and sisters. Next year, in September 2024, the same will happen again with a new child who has already got a full diagnosis. The classroom is there. There are no capital works involved. The school has a sensory room and there are toilets right outside the classroom. It has a sensory garden. This is an inclusive school. It needs the staff and it needs the sanction. In this day and age, this is cruel when a school and its board of management are willing to keep families together to ensure an inclusive educational setting. I ask the Minister of State to look at this again. I know there is other capacity but this is an issue of splitting families and discriminating against these children who cannot go to school in their catchment area despite the fact that all of the parents, the staff and the board of management want them to. There are no capital works required. It is a staffing issue and something that can be resolved.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call on the Minister of State for literally the final word.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The NCSE has confirmed to me that there are a total of eight special class places in close proximity to St. Eunan's but I have heard what the Deputy has said. As I have said, I do believe it is something that could be looked at in the future.