Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

The Minister of State referred to the extra places created last year, including three new schools in Galway, Cork and Limerick, giving a total of 75 places, for which I commend him. However, there is a great need in this area because the language component in autism is one of the basic needs. Treatment has improved, but parents' expectations are higher than they were 20 years ago and rightly so. There is no one in this House who would not seek better value for money. We are all singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to getting better value for money. When one considers how Departments work at local level, whether in education or health, if this is achieved at regional and national level we will get better value for money. Having everyone work together is what will give the best results. We have seen multidisciplinary teams working in other areas. This is an area in which we can be most effective.

The Minister of State offered a major commitment in his contribution. This was obvious in the way he outlined the number of people currently in postgraduate training. I hope these individuals will go on to form part of the multidisciplinary teams needed in that area. I was touched to hear that he will be putting structures in place and that he will not be adding to the burden of mothers or fathers with autistic children.

A good friend of mine – we are the same age – left it until late in life to have her family. She has only one child and is a single parent. Just two months ago her little boy was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. I know the devastation it has brought to her life. She is a very successful business woman, but her whole world has fallen apart. She takes the train to Belfast twice a week in order to educate herself on how best to treat her child. She is trying to get him into a school here, but there are huge waiting lists. There are 28 children on the list ahead of her child. We need more resources and I call on the Minister of State to try to put more funding into this area.