Carrick-on-Suir ASD places
Deputy Browne said local primary children in Carrick-on-Suir cannot access ASD units and are being forced to travel long distances. The Taoiseach said he would work with the Department, NCSE and schools, and that there was no resourcing problem, with many special classes already opened.
No autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit or classroom is available for primary schoolchildren locally in Carrick-on-Suir. Parents in the area have been turned away from other schools farther away because of lack of spaces. We have heard of people waiting for two years or more. Some children may have to travel even farther to Waterford city, Dungarvan or Kilkenny, which, as the Taoiseach will appreciate, is unsuitable for many children. It is distressing for parents to have to put their child on a bus to go to a school farther away to say the least. The parents concerned have set up a Facebook page to raise awareness of their situation. Since appearing on local radio, they have become aware of more than 20 families in this situation, some with more than one child.
How can the Department claim to know enough about St. Brigid's in Carrick-on-Suir that it can close it and yet children in need of ASD units or classrooms are being totally overlooked? Parents should not have to form a pressure group to bring a service to their area. Is the Taoiseach aware of this situation, and what is being done to address it? Can he guarantee the people of Carrick-on-Suir that it will be resolved?
Comment on this
Whenever such an issue arises, I work with the Department of Education, the Minister for Education and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, to deal with the issue. I do not know whether any specific primary schools have applied for an ASD unit. I ask the Deputy to give me further details on it. That would be the normal route. The NCSE would assess the demand in given areas and would approach schools with a view to providing ASD units. There is no issue with resourcing ASD units. A total of 269 additional special classes have been opened this year, which brings the total number of special classes nationally to a new high of 2,118 for this school year. They will provide 1,600 additional places throughout the country. The additionality is being provided. The extra classes are being opened. Schools need to apply for the ASD units. If the Deputy wants to work with us on it, there will be no issue.