I raise the issue of places in primary schools for children with autism. Parents in a number of areas of County Laois have raised it with me. In several areas of the county, parents cannot get their children a place for next September in an autism spectrum disorder unit. One parent tells me that she has applied to 19 schools with no success and is at her wits' end. A number of other parents are in the same category with the same problems. I do not need to tell the Minister that Laois is a county with an expanding population. The importance of timely intervention at primary school level cannot be overstated. It is critical that this happens. Parents are worried about whether they will have a place in September. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, sends letters back and forward, but this matter needs an intervention by the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, who has responsibility for special education. She should engage with the NCSE and the Department to ensure there is capacity in ASD units in Laois for those children who have been deemed in need of it in September.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I know how stressful an issue it can be for the parent of an autistic child. We have put a lot of investment and effort into opening new autism classes throughout the county. On County Laois specifically, where there clearly seems to be a challenge, I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, to look into the matter.