I raise an issue that is causing huge concern to families across County Laois, that is, the urgent need for ASD classes at post-primary level. Last year, the then Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, successfully spearheaded a campaign to open more ASD classes at primary school level. We need the same level of urgency at post-primary level. We know that a significant number of children with ASD will move from primary to post-primary in coming years. Their parents are already worried about the availability of suitable places. They want their children with ASD educated, with their siblings and peers, in their local schools and communities. These families deserve assurances that their children will not be left without appropriate educational facilities. Schools and parents in towns such as Abbeyleix, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Portarlington and Portlaoise need to know what engagement is happening and what planning is under way to secure places for September 2026.

I am asking the Taoiseach to liaise with the Minister for education to ensure that the new ASD classes are open to meet this growing demand in County Laois. I ask for a clear timeline for delivery of these units at post-primary level.

We are acutely aware of the challenges in post-primary education. Primary education, by and large, has stepped up to the plate. We are acutely aware of the challenges right across the country, not just in Laois. The Minister, Deputy Naughton, and I are working closely to make sure we have places for children in 2026. However, we are acutely aware of the challenges across County Laois and across the country at post-primary level. I welcome the engagement of the patrons and other bodies with the Department and the NCSE to ensure we have places in second level education.