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

I will have to respond later to the Senator regarding the funding of specific organisations. It is not something I can comment on now. Organisations throughout the country, including in my constituency of Meath East, do fantastic work supporting parents, families, teachers, schools and young children with autism. It is important to acknowledge that and support them where we can.

Regarding the specific concern raised by the Senator on the use of reduced timetables, I again stress that the Minister is aware of this. Reduced timetables cannot, and should not, be used as a behavioural management technique or as any kind of suspension or expulsion mechanism. The Minister and his Department are working with Tusla to try to address those concerns. There has been a significant increase in the supports and funding available. The Senator is correct that it is important that the money reaches the students who need it and that it is applied appropriately. The Department is doing everything possible to ensure that is the case. If there are concerns regarding specific issues, it is important that the Senator or anyone else can raise them and make the Minister aware of them as well.