Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Vol. 932 Tuesday, No. 3 13 December 2017 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 13/12/2016J00500Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12 13/12/2016P01200Civil Law (Missing Persons) (No� 2) Bill 2016: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22 13/12/2016P02000Amendment of Orders of Reference of Special All-party Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Motion� � � � 23 13/12/2016P02400Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24 13/12/2016P02475Ministerial Advisers Appointments � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24 13/12/2016R00650Cyber Security Policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 27 13/12/2016T00200Brexit Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31 13/12/2016U00925Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 35 13/12/2016U00950European Defence Action Plan � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 35 13/12/2016W02000Naval Service Operations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 40 13/12/2016X00950Defence Forces Reorganisation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 42 13/12/2016Y00400Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 45 13/12/2016Y00600Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 46 13/12/2016Y00825Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 46 13/12/2016Y00850Defence Forces Properties � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 46 13/12/2016Z00150European Defence Action Plan � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 48 13/12/2016AA00400White Paper on Defence � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 51 13/12/2016BB00150Military Medals � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 53 13/12/2016CC00600Naval Service Operations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 56 13/12/2016DD00500Military Aircraft � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 58 13/12/2016DD01500Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 60 13/12/2016DD01700HIQA Reports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 60 13/12/2016FF00250Narcolepsy Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 63 13/12/2016GG04150Civil Defence� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 68 13/12/2016JJ00100Courts Bill 2016: Order for Report Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 71 13/12/2016JJ00400Courts Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 71 13/12/2016RR00100Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 91 13/12/2016RR00500Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 91 13/12/2016TT00100Flood Prevention Measures: Motion [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 94 13/12/2016EEE00900Message from Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 122 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Máirt, 13 Nollaig 2016 Tuesday, 13 December 2016 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2 p�m� Paidir. Prayer. 13/12/2016A00100Leaders’ Questions 13/12/2016A00200Deputy Micheál Martin: The issue I want to bring to the Taoiseach’s attention this after- noon is a crisis in the availability of post-primary places for children on the autistic spectrum� There is a chronic lack of places and a similar lack of secondary schools making provision for children and young people on the autism spectrum� If one looks at how the primary situation evolved over the past decade and a half, one will see that initially in the late 1990s - from 1998 onwards - departmental inspectors engaged with schools to facilitate the establishment of many special classes in primary schools� There was quite dramatic growth and engagement� There has been a complete absence of that kind of proactivity, co-ordination and demo- graphic planning at second level for children with autism� Overall, we have 548 autistic spec- trum disorder, ASD, classes at primary level, which are classes for children with autism� At post-primary level, there are 237� One can immediately see the enormous shortage of suitable places� There is also a complete lack of proactivity on the part of the Department of Education and Skills� The National Council for Special Education does not have the powers to instruct schools to take in children with autism� There is no planning and every year there is incredible pressure on parents to do all the running� Everything is left to the last minute� A meeting was organised in Cork last night by a teacher who worked in a school with a special autism unit at second level� He is absolutely fed up of having to deal with the anguish of parents who are applying to this particular school but who are told there are no places available� There are not many other schools to send their children to because very few offer second-level placements for children with autism� There was a huge turnout at the meeting but this is a national issue� In every county there are parents who do not know where their children will be next September� This is because of gaps in the legislative framework and the absence of a proper engagement with schools, as well as a lack of proper planning and of resources� The wherewithal to deal with this matter exists in the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill� Will the Government agree to give powers to the National Council for Special Education, 2 13 December 2016 NCSE, to ensure that children are accepted by second-level schools and to instruct such schools to set up special units? It cannot be left to a small number of second-level schools to do it but that is what is going on at the moment� It is about time that everybody put their shoulder to the wheel and that the national council is given the legislative powers it needs� 13/12/2016B00200The Taoiseach: It is always a very difficult situation when a child is assessed as being on a particular point on the autistic spectrum and it creates a great challenge for the child, the par- ents and a school� In some cases, however, things work out very well� The NCSE is carrying out a review of facilities for autistic children nationally, with particular emphasis on Cork� The number of classes for autistic children has increased from 500 to 1,000 in the past five years. This is an increase of 100% and it is continuing� It is a decision for each school as to whether it wishes to have an ASD class� The decision is not for the Department to make� There is full engagement because this service is critical in the lives of the children concerned, as well as fundamental to the lives of their parents and children in general� The Minister for Education and Skills and his Department will continue to expand the number of ASD classes because they are a fundamental part of allowing every child the best opportunity to make his or her way for- ward� The increase in classes that I mentioned will continue and the strategy will make further progress in the time ahead� 13/12/2016B00300Deputy Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has not answered the question and his reply is dangerously disengaged and disconnected� There are 548 special classes at primary level and 237 at post-primary level� There is also a big shortage at preschool level but I am concentrat- ing on post-primary level� The Taoiseach said it was up to schools to decide but that is what I am asking him to end� It can no longer be left to individual schools to decide� At primary level, every

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