Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that provision is made for an autism unit in one or both of the newly planned secondary schools for the Malahide and Swords area, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23129/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a major programme of capital investment in schools was announced in November 2015. The establishment of nine new post-primary schools, including two new post primary schools for the areas referred to by the Deputy, were included in the announcement. The two new schools in question will be established in September 2017 in order to meet increasing demographic demand.

As part of the project brief development, the Department has been liaising with the National Council for Special Education in respect of the appropriate level of special education provision. In that regard I can confirm that Special Needs Units will be provided as part of the development in the case of both of the schools concerned.