Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. There is no doubt that St. Patrick's Special School, as it is a new building, is a magnet to other regions. It is unfortunate that children with special needs are on a bus for transport for an hour and a half in the morning and an hour and a half in the evening. The Department is getting there but I wondered about the risk or reason for it.

I do not want a direct answer for this. The witnesses might come back to the clerk. I want to ask about two issues. I mentioned St. Aidan's Primary School in Enniscorthy before. It is a newly renovated school building and the biggest primary school outside of Dublin. It has now exceeded the 1,000-pupil threshold that was envisaged and they are now looking for further extensions to accommodate a special needs class. Perhaps the Department could come back to me on that. The other is St. Joseph's National School, Bree in Enniscorthy. I do not want a reply now but I would like if the Department could come back to the clerk with a comprehensive reply.