Increasingly, parents across the State, including the Taoiseach's constituency of Dublin West, contact me on the lack of places for children with autism spectrum disorder, ASD, in ASD units or mainstream classrooms. That experience is common among members of the Sinn Féin group. We have lost count of the number of parents who have contacted our representatives in desperation because they have nowhere to send their child. Waiting lists are long. In some cases, people must travel long distances to access units but in many cases there are no units to access. I am aware of schools that are hesitant about opening an ASD unit, sometimes due to questions of adequate funding. Parents are at their wits' end.

A review of the system with a joined-up approach by the Departments of Health and Education and Skills is required to ensure that services are in place to support children and their families. In the case of Dublin West, the Taoiseach's bailiwick, there is increasing demand and a campaign among this substantial cohort of parents for what they call a special school. They are under immense pressure and we need to give them an answer. I raise this issue in respect of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill 2016, the point being that these children will not have admission to any school or unit because the facilities are not there, the funding is not there or blocks are being put in their way. We need to sort this out.

I acknowledge that any parent who has a diagnosis of a child with special needs is faced with huge challenges. I understand that. We have appointed an independent adviser to Government, which makes decisions about suitable placements, the National Council for Special Education need, NCSE. On foot of its recommendations, we have more than doubled the number of ASD units from 550 in 2011 to over 1,300. Every year we add 150 to 180 special units. On teaching resources, we have put in 1,600 additional resource teachers in the past two years and 3,000 special needs assistants, SNAs. We are putting in huge investment to support children with special education needs. The decision as to what is the most appropriate placement is decided on the advice of the NCSE. About 60% are in mainstream classes, some 20% are in special units in mainstream schools and about 20% are in special schools. We are dramatically expanding provision in this area and continue to respond to need. We have completed a review and rolled out a new model of providing resource teachers to schools, which is working well. There is universal support for the new model. We have undertaken a review of SNAs, which will shortly come to Government to assess how be might improve it.

Where are the children supposed to go?

The special needs organiser, which is appointed by the NCSE, will work with parents to find a suitable placement.

They are being offered home tuition.

Each year we provide additional special units, where that is recommended, and we will do that again this year. We are bringing to the NCSE the power to compel a school to open an ASD unit should that be needed.