Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The important issue relates to the school building programme and ensuring that the planned extension will happen as soon as possible. Obviously, it would have been better if it had happened earlier, but it would be good to get a timeline for when we think it can be delivered. If it was in train, we would not have the issues we have been facing recently, whereby parents were told that there was no space in the school for a new autism unit for their children. In fairness and as already stated, major work was done by the principal, the SENO and the NCSE, although there are promises in respect of the Department providing resources and we need to make sure that happens. Nevertheless, they will be operating in probably suboptimal space, and we need to make sure the resources will be provided in the short term and that the building and all the associated necessary aspects will follow. While Friday was really positive, we need to make sure we deliver on sustainable positivity.

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