Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have three concise questions and I will leave time for the Minister to answer them if possible. The Department sought expressions of interest from schools for the July provision programme, and despite numerous schools applying, certain schools within my constituency are now being informed that only special educational schools or schools with special educational classrooms can participate. One wonders why the Department opened the applications to all if this restriction was going to be in place. Will the Minister give a guarantee that all children who are eligible for July provision will be accommodated this year?

Second, I refer to the announcement earlier in the summer regarding the redeployment of SNAs. Has that proposal been shelved or scrapped, or where does it stand at the moment? There is huge confusion for SNAs as they do not know what the future holds for them. Perhaps the Minister could use this opportunity to enlighten them.

Finally, all schools are set to reopen in September, which is very welcome. However, I want to ask the Minister about one school in particular, namely, Holy Family national school in Mullingar. It was to open in September two years ago, but because of problems with the contractor, it is now 24 months behind. The Minister is aware of it and visited the site in advance of the local elections last year. At that stage, we thought it would open last September. We are 24 months behind schedule and there is anxiety and concern about this. A lot of work is going on between Westmeath and officials from the Department. Will the Minister give assurances that, after two years of delay in the contract, the children, staff and parents can look forward to the opening up of Holy Family national school in September of this year?

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