Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday morning I met the principal, staff and children of St. Teresa's special school in Ballinasloe. They face a major challenge at the moment. They have been given an insurance bill of more than €26,000 for this year. In 2017, the insurance bill was a little more than €3,000. In 2018, it was a little more than €19,000, and the bill for this year is €26,317. Understandably, parents and staff are very worried because it is not possible to pay that bill without some level of assistance.

I wish to emphasise the excellent work that is being done in the school every day by the staff who look after the children so well. Currently, 21 children are enrolled for this year and it is expected that there will be 27 next year. There is great uncertainty at the moment because the insurance bill creates a major challenge in terms of the school being able to function. I have raised the issue with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh. It is important that we would have an urgent meeting with him to address this issue. A short-term solution is required and then we need to look at a longer-term restructuring. It is critical that we intervene because parents are very stressed. Having been in the school yesterday morning, I am aware that staff are equally stressed. They provide an exceptional service every day to the children. We want to ensure that the 21 children currently in the school will be supported and the 27 children due to be enrolled in September will also be supported. I emphasise the importance of immediate action.