I raise the issue of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, services, especially in community healthcare organisation, CHO, 4, of which Cork is part. I acknowledge the great work of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in progressing the assessments of need. We have seen a dramatic decline in the length of waiting lists nationally but there are still a number of black spots across the country of which CHO 4, including Cork, is one. More than 200 children are awaiting assessment. The difficulty that I have is that we still allow principals and boards of management the discretion to choose whether they establish an ASD class in their school. It is high time that we look at that situation. We need to revise and review it ahead of next year's intake. What is the Taoiseach's opinion on that issue?

I take the point that the Deputy has made. Legislation was passed in the Oireachtas some time ago, by a previous Dáil, stating that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, can recommend that the Minister mandatorily instruct a school to have an ASD class. That should be more streamlined and simplified. The Minister should not have to tell a school that it needs to have an ASD class.

Every school should take all children irrespective of need. In my view, particularly in the mainstream setting, children with special and additional needs should be looked after and catered for. I will engage with the Minister for Education on that matter.