Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There will always be another one beyond it as well. I understand that. Eligibility, cost and the whole lot are part of the school transport review. They are central to it. The work is moving apace and the work will be imminent.

I refer to ASD and oversight and I know the planning and building unit was part of the discussion at the committee in the past week. We have a very significant and proactive planning and building unit with a very strong pipeline of projects. We have a significant capital investment of more than €860 million, with 180 projects delivered last year and between 150 and 200 to be delivered this year. More than 1,000 different projects are at various stages of development within the Department. I know the Deputy has an interest in special education. In the past year, we have considerably enhanced the number of special classes being made available. More than 2,500 are in the system and, by 2023, there will be close to 3,000 available. It is a priority for the Department. If the Deputy wishes to raise any specific cases, the planning and building unit will take them in hand.

There is agreement in principle for Glanmire. It has enormous potential. The Department is determined to progress it. I am very conscious of that. The Deputy has raised the issue of Glanmire time and again with us. We are working through the potential and possibility for that site and the agreement in principle.

The Deputy is quite correct that the amalgamations in that the proposal obviously must come from the patrons. We have seen a number of them going forward. The first hurdle is for the patrons to be in agreement with any form of amalgamation and then it comes to the Department. If there are any specific issues with regard to anyone in particular, I am very happy for us to take a look at them.