Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and I compliment the Government on the work that it has done and, in particular, the work that has been done by the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and the senior Minister, Deputy Foley, in providing a significant number of places, especially at primary level.

We have a tsunami ahead of us because we have not created the places at post-primary level. The reply refers to the fact that there were 30 places in Athlone and in Moate. The reality is that there are, in fact, 30 places but there is no availability in those towns for any child who wishes to avail of such a place in September. In fact one child from just outside Athlone, on the Ballymahon side in Glasson, has secured a place in St. Mel's College in Longford. That is a 90 km return journey every day for that family. For anyone who knows anything about autism, and I know about this condition personally, one needs to have children in schools in places with which they are familiar. This is not acceptable.

It is also stated in the reply that the NCSE has been working on this for years. This does not take years to sort out. If one sits down with the schools in the area, not just there but across the country, we know the numbers that are in the primary system and we need to ensure that every family and child who is entitled to get an education - and this is written into the 1916 Proclamation - is treated equally. We need to sit down, identify the schools and ensure that we have sufficient places for all children. This needs to be sorted before this school term is over to give certainty to those parents.