Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister of State turning up. I also appreciate that this issue is not within his remit. He is the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, whereas I am trying to progress a matter of special education. The Minister of State has a great knowledge of west Cork, though, given he has family in Bandon and other parts of west Cork, so he will understand what I am about to discuss, namely, a special school for the west Cork catchment area. A special school for autistic children is an issue that we need to progress, if possible.

West Cork is an exceptionally large area and we have a significant network of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classrooms in the majority of primary schools. These have been helpful and appropriate to the needs of the majority of children. Unfortunately, a small minority of children need to attend special schools. The nearest special school to the people I have been speaking to is in Cork city. Six-, seven- and eight-year-olds are getting on a bus in Skibbereen, travelling for more than two hours to reach that special school and travelling for the same amount of time coming home. That we are stuck with such a scenario is unbelievable.

A special school for autistic children is a matter that we have been trying to progress for the past six or seven years in particular. There has been movement on special schools in other parts of the county. For example, Rochestown saw a new special school open in recent months and the plans for a special school in Carrigtwohill in east Cork are welcome. However, a special school for autistic children in west Cork is an issue that we must progress. There is a considerable level of need within the area. Of the more than 1,000 people involved, 60 or 70 children need to attend a special school. Parents feel that their lives are being put on hold because of the lack of such a school. It comes down to basic stuff. For example, not only is there the issue of the hours spent travelling every day, but the children's friends do not attend their birthday parties because their friends live three hours away and will not make the effort to come. These kids' ability to socialise with their friends is being taken away. Their parents are worn out. When their kids come home, they are wrecked and physically fit for nothing only to lie on the couch for an hour or two because of the amount of travelling involved.

The needs of the kids, parents and communities are not being addressed by the current model, which has left children on buses and in taxis for hours every day. It kills the entire community and the environment in which these kids are living. We need the Minister to meet the children, parents and a trustee so that we can work together on progressing this project and have a special school in west Cork. The benefits of this are obvious and the level of need is significant. If we get everyone together around the table, we will be able to provide a special space so that children do not have to spend hours in cars going nowhere.