Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The Northern Ireland Minister expressed surprise to hear of the Department's decision not to proceed with capital funding for the Midleton Centre for Autism. Was the Minister for Education in Northern Ireland informed in advance of the decision being taken? Will the Minister of State indicate to the House the scale of the pause? This unique project in Midleton is about bringing together children and their parents in a residential setting for a number of days or weeks to deal with the issue of autism on site. Without capital funding, it cannot progress. It is important the Minister of State points out the scale of pause involved.

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