Ballyduff National School has been serving the community since 1839 and has been in the current building for the past 60 years. There are currently 96 pupils attending. It has had an autism class for the past few years with six pupils, and that is full, but there are five other children who are currently struggling to access the curriculum because they do not have the supports that would be there from an autism class. There are five qualified children and two awaiting assessment. There will be an ongoing need into the future. They have a room and the changing facilities. All the resources are in place to do this and all the children, I am sure the Tánaiste will agree, should have the right to be educated locally in their own community. There is a want and a need. The school is ready, willing and able to provide it. It has the facilities but parents are very anxious that it has not been approved for a second class. I ask the Tánaiste to look at this and see what he can do to facilitate it.

Sentiment score: -0.04