Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I too support my colleague and implore the Minister of State in this regard. I have an issue with Tusla. God forgive me, it cannot even account for the approximately 50 children who have gone missing in State care in recent years. There is a meeting here to discuss this tomorrow as well. Why is Tusla involved in this premises at all? It is a wonderful facility. As I said, we have two wonderful schools in Cashel, Scoil Aonghusa and Scoil Chormaic, with great records of providing special needs education but we need another such school in south Tipperary. Nenagh is getting one and that is badly needed. The area we are talking about is on the border with west Waterford. I think Tusla needs to be removed from this institution. It has not engaged, as Deputy Murphy said, and is not listening. It has no intention of engaging with stakeholders either. I am, therefore, pleading with the Minister of State to intervene and keep this facility. The people providing the lessons are employed and have contracts.

Surely they have some rights as well. Clonmel swimming pool has a five-year waiting list. I thank Rockwell College, which is helping out, but it just cannot function. It is a big town and a big part of Tipperary so this is not acceptable.

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