Is the Taoiseach aware that there are children as young as six who are being excluded and, in a number of cases, expelled from primary school in the early years? A high proportion of the children so excluded or expelled are affected by autism and have behavioural issues in addition. In the Dublin region, there are seven special schools dealing with the children with a high level of need. Many of these children are non-verbal. They also have sensory issues, including in respect of noise, light and being involved with groups of people. In my constituency and that of the Taoiseach, which includes Dublin 15 and part of Dublin 7, which has a population of more than 120,000, there are no facilities for children on the autism spectrum with a high level of need. Parents are at their wits' end. Children, teachers and principals in schools who are trying to do their best cannot cope unless they are resourced with facilities such as a special school.

Deputies Burton, Coppinger and I met a group in this regard. I know the Taoiseach is aware of it because the group has been in correspondence with him. Many constituents are being excluded by the education system. They are on a home tuition grant and have been expelled by their schools. The ASD units, which were established for the right reasons, are excluding the children because they have very severe and profound autism difficulties. The group’s request to the Taoiseach is that he meet it in the first instance and liaise with the National Council for Special Education so that children’s needs can be met and so that the education system will be fit for purpose for them. I would like the Taoiseach to accept the invitation to meet the group so it can outline its difficulties.

I would like to back up what has been said. A very large public meeting took place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, on this issue. Parents have done lot of research to demonstrate the need for a special school. This does not go against the policy of integration, which may comprise the initial reaction. It is actually about children who cannot integrate into the ASD units or mainstream schools.

Dublin 15 is the fastest-growing area of western Europe. It is in the Taoiseach's constituency. It has the youngest population and it obviously has a need for what is proposed. Does the Taoiseach agree with what the three Deputies are asking, that he meet the group?

As the Deputies will know, it is not my practice to schedule meetings based on requests made across the floor of the House. Any Deputy who wants a meeting with me, in my capacity as Taoiseach or constituency Deputy, knows exactly how to seek a meeting. Deputies do so all the time.

They have.

In the past couple of years, as all Deputies in this House will acknowledge, there has been an enormous increase in the provision for children with special educational needs. We have more special needs assistants now than there are gardaí. There has been a considerable increase in the number in recent years. New ASD units have been established throughout the country. There are more special classes now than ever before. No other Government has ever done this. It is part of our commitment to making sure that children with special needs get the educational opportunities they deserve and which they were not given by others in the past.

The need for a special school in west Dublin is acknowledged. I am engaging with the National Council for Special Education and the special education needs officer on that issue.