Autism education and committee
Deputy Seán Crowe raised the lack of secondary-school provision for children on the autism spectrum under the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Deputy Pearse Doherty then asked for support for an all-party committee on an autism empowerment strategy, and the Taoiseach said he would be happy to support it while directing specific school queries to the Minister.
The question of Ministers being in attendance in the Chamber is a decent one.
Comment on this
As the Taoiseach knows, the House debated autism last night. I am raising this matter in the context of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, which was agreed in December. It is estimated that one in 65 people is on the autism spectrum. There are 11 primary schools in my constituency that make provision for children with autism. No secondary schools in my constituency make such provision. Just 18 secondary schools in the whole of Dublin cater for children on the autism spectrum. When will we start to see secondary schools or other schools being established throughout the country under the 2018 Act to deal with the establishment of autism units? The Minister is not here.
Comment on this
It is on the same matter. We had an excellent debate last night to mark World Autism Awareness Day. April is World Autism Month. Excellent contributions to yesterday's debate were made by Deputies on all sides of the House. Our motion was supported by all parties and Independents. The establishment of an all-party committee on the development of an autism empowerment strategy was central to that motion. I ask the Taoiseach, as the Head of Government, to state clearly that he supports the establishment of such an all-party committee so that we, as legislators, can come up with an autism empowerment strategy within six months. Such a strategy would support many of the issues being faced by children and adults with autism and their families.
Comment on this
I would be very happy to support the establishment of such a committee. I am not sure what the exact mechanisms are to make that happen, but I would be very happy to support it.
Comment on this
A number of other Deputies are offering. I will be able to get them all in as long as their questions are brief and relevant.
Comment on this
The Taoiseach is still answering.
Comment on this
It is okay. The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 has already been enacted. The best way to ask about a specific school is to table a written question, a private notice question or an oral question to the Minister for Education and Skills.
Informed though I am, it is not just possible to be informed of every constituency issue.