Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fearaim céad míle fáilte roimh na daltaí agus a múinteoirí as Cill Dara. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, to the House. The Minister of State was always very strong on educational matters. The matter I raise this morning relates to St. Teresa's Special School in Ballinasloe, County Galway. Last November we were very proud that the Taoiseach, the Minister for Education and others came to Ballinasloe and gave the go-ahead for a new school for St. Teresa's. St. Teresa's has been based at the enterprise centre in Ballinasloe on Creagh Road for a number of years. It is very cramped. It is very hard for them to do their daily work.

It is a special school with 36 enrolled, all of whom have special needs. Indeed, in September 2022 another class will be added to the school. It was a great day and a great announcement. This morning I want to find out from the Minister of State and the Department where it stands. It was great news when the announcement was made in Ballinasloe.There were great celebrations in Ballinasloe but it is very important that we now move the project forward. There are 16 special needs assistants at the school. There are also nine teachers, one care assistant, one nurse and nine bus escorts. The school is under the patronage of Ability West. I compliment Anita O'Reilly, who is the principal. She does Trojan work, as do all the staff. They are committed to the students. They give more than their daily hours to the job to ensure all of the students and their parents and families are looked after. The announcement of the new school was unbelievable news for them. I am sure the Minister of State has an update for me. I hope he has some good news on the project because it is very important that it moves ahead as quickly as possible.