Many parents of children with autism have contacted me to say they have major concerns that their children will not have a school place this September due to the lack of available spaces in ASD classes right across counties Meath and Westmeath. One school I contacted has three ASD classes. It feels it has done its fair share in this regard, while other schools do not have a single ASD class and, it appears, some do not have any plans to open any. Several of the parents who contacted me said it looks like their children will have to travel two to three hours daily commuting to a school with an ASD class. This is not good enough for these children who may suffer from a lack of social skills. Many have built up friendships in their own communities. One parent I am dealing with has contacted more than 12 schools and been told that each of them is oversubscribed. The fact is that numerous children with autism do not have appropriate school places for September 2024. Of the 23 secondary schools in County Meath, only 16 have ASD classes. Of more than 100 national schools, only 42 have ASD classes. Are these parents going to have a place for their children in September? An ASD class in their communities or nearby certainly must be offered to these children and their parents.

As I said earlier, there has been a significant increase in the number of special classes and seven new special schools have been formed in recent years. I do not have the background to the specific individual cases the Deputy referred to. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is there. I ask the Deputy to engage with the Minister and bring to her attention the specific area concerned. All schools should be inclusive and should provide for children with additional and special needs. This is my view.

No, that-----

I think we have legislated for this in terms of more proactive undertakings. In many instances, it is about NCSE approval, planning, etc., in conjunction with the Department. Our objective is that every child needing a place will get a place. This means, then, that we must plan for this provision and ensure it happens, and this is what we have been doing over the last two to three years. I ask the Deputy again if he could submit the case to the Minister, if there is-----

A lot of kids are impacted across the community. It is not just one.

That is what I mean. There can be an area-based response if there is a problem in the area.