The news has been confirmed this evening.
It's been confirmed a new additional needs class is being opened in Athlone Community College.
The class - which will cater for six students - will be opened in time for the new school term in September.
It follows months of campaigning by local parents and politicians to provide an adequate number of school places for autistic children.
A number of sixth class pupils who just left primary schools in the area have no secondary school place for September, despite receiving assurances from Special Education Minister Josepha Madigan that every child will be catered for.
A new class is also being opened at Ballymahon Vocational School in Co. Longford.
Fine Gael senator Micheál Carrigy says it's very welcome news, but more needs to be done to ensure every child is catered for:
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