Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I know there are always reasons for these delays but it is so frustrating because, what do we say to these parents? What do we say to these children when it goes on year after year? What I would ask is that the Department with the design team, having worked with Galway County Council - and again to acknowledge there has been very positive engagement over the past 12 months - submit the application for planning. As the Minister of State said, until it goes through to planning, until we get the statutory approvals through planning permission from Galway County Council, we cannot move to the next stage. I want to see that happen. That has to happen. Last year I believed that was going to happen in April or June. I thought we would be at a different stage right now with this school.

I understand there has been accommodation for extra students and all of this has to happen. However, I am asking for the Department to prioritise this project in particular, that we would support them every step of the way, be it supporting the board of management and the design team which is engaging proactively with Galway County Council. Meetings have been set up on this issue.

I thank the Minister of State for the information on St. Teresa's Special School. It is absolutely crucial that we see that project move and I understand that it is now at stage 2, the design stage. Is that correct? The lands comprising a 4-acre site have been transferred from the HSE to the Department of Education.