441 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to the concerns of parents of a person (details supplied) and their difficulties in finding a place for their son in a suitable pre-school facility; if he will consider the provision of a pre-school in the Lucan area in view of his approval for a special teaching unit for autistic children at Lucan Educate Together national school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18748/01]

I have asked my Department's inspectorate to investigate this case with a view to finding a suitable pre-school placement for the person referred to by the Deputy and to look at the possibility of setting up a pre-school for autistic children in the Lucan area. As soon as the inspector has reported, my Department will be in touch with the parents of the child in question.