Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator may be aware that I have met Autism Equality Dublin Bay, Involve Autism and AsIAm. I commend them on the work they do in this regard. It is important I hear from parents and families on the ground. One of the things I have tried to do since assuming my role has been to take the sting out of trying to find a place in a special class or special school. City Quay National School and Star of the Sea Boys National School will be opening in the areas the Senator mentioned, as will St. Christopher's, Shellybanks, Ringsend and other schools.

Planning using the forecasting model is a departure for the Department. We are working with the building and planning unit on setting out the five-year forecasting model. There was never a reason we could not do this, given that an information geographical system for planning into the future is used in respect of other schools. An important measure I have from the Department is that, from this year on, all new schools will automatically provide for special educational needs. This will help a significant cohort in the years to come.