FUSS Ireland was outside Leinster House again today. We are two weeks into the new school year and there are many children and young people with special needs and disabilities who do not have appropriate school places. In Cork South-West I have been working with families since this time last year who warned the Department and pleaded for the resources to ensure their children could exercise their right to education. One child with autism spectrum disorder, ASD, whose name is Charlie, has been moved between three primary schools. The special educational needs organiser, SENO, overruled the recommendation of the most recent school, and he was then placed in a special class at second level that is not suitable for his needs. Needless to say, he has regressed due to these circumstances. Even though an ASD unit is opening in the secondary school that is closest to him, it is already oversubscribed. His mum asked how it is possible that a post-primary unit is established, but even before it opens, it is oversubscribed. These children have been in primary education, in the system, for eight years. The numbers involved are surely relatively clear. Her son's case is not an isolated one but is symptomatic of an under-resourced and dysfunctional system failing children and families, a system that fails to do the most basic planning. What are we supposed to say to these parents when they come to us for help?

First, I have given priority to special education. I met representatives of FUSS Ireland last Saturday. I met a range of disability groups last Saturday, mainly involved on the health side. There was a very significant focus on the progressing disability services, PDS, programme and its implementation and application. I have had issues with that myself. There was a series of meetings involving the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Madigan, the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and the HSE, which has resulted in the restoration of therapists to special schools over a certain timeframe.

In terms of school places themselves, we have made it clear what we want and the Department of Education, in fairness, has responded. In the past two years we have established new special schools where required. We have also brought in legislation that means schools cannot refuse children with special needs. It is the case that, over the years, post-primary did not develop to the same extent as primary level.

Thank you, Taoiseach. Your time is up.

What do we say to these parents?

One child who does not have a school place is one child too many. While I do not know the background to the individual case, as far as I am concerned, that child should be provided for. I know the Minister will agree with me it is within the capacity of the Department of Education to provide for that child. I do not have the details of the case, but if the Deputy wants to share them with me afterwards, I will see what I can do.