Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, to the House to take this important issue on the provision of a timeline for the opening of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units and ASD outreach classes in schools in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 6W. In these areas in Dublin Bay South, there is a serious shortage of places in autism units and ASD outreach classes for children. This is a matter of intense frustration for the many parents, families and children affected. I know that the Minister of State is well aware of this. The Labour Party has been working on this matter for some years now. Along with my colleague, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, I have met the representative groups involved. I thank Autism Equality Dublin Bay, the AsIAm organisation and the parents group, Involve Autism:D6/D6W and Surrounds, who have been advocating on behalf of children in the area and putting forward important points.

Currently, every day, nearly 2,000 children from these areas are bused to schools in other areas at a cost, I am told, of approximately €63,000 per annum and at how detriment to the children involved and to their families. This is the result of poor planning and a lack of local provision. This must be tackled. I know that progress is being made. We need a timeframe so that we can see what progress is being made and identify where places will be available. I am conscious that there are schools that have stepped up, but these, I am told, are predominantly Educate Together and DEIS schools. There are large areas in Dublin Bay South where there is no provision of ASD classes or autism units. Many well established schools in affluent areas, despite being mandated to do so under the section 37A process, have not stepped up and made provision in their schools for children with autism or autistic children. We need stricter enforcement of the rule such that schools must provide such placements. We are all conscious of the demand for places and of the fact that children are currently being bussed out of the areas. That is not acceptable. It is important to reiterate the immense frustration that parents and children in the areas are experiencing.

I have been asked by the groups involved to seek information from the Minister of State on the new forecasting model, which she has spoken about previously. I have been asked to inquire if she can share details of that model, the prevalence rates and what the Department of Education and the NCSE propose to do about future planning for the area. This is not just about children who need these placements today, although that is the pressing need, it is also about ensuring that planning for the future is conducted in a well thought out and evidence-based manner such that we do not see children in future also caught in this trap and again having to be bussed out of the areas.

I eagerly await the Minister of State's response.