Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his detailed response. He is correct. As I stated, significant funding has been allocated to school building across the country. In that regard, County Tipperary has been no different from the Minister of State's own county of Limerick, or anywhere else. He is correct that in the area there are two special schools - Scoil Chormaic Special School and Scoil Aonghusa - and there are ASD units in Thomastown as well, but there is still very high demand and Golden National School has recognised that. Mr. James McCarthy, its principal, has seen that demand and wants to be able to facilitate those kids. As the Minister of State is aware, that is not the case with all schools across the country. When a school is being proactive in trying to build ASD units as part of an ASA application, that should be looked at positively.

He is correct that supplementary information has been requested by the Department. A change of the school's SENO is the reason for the delay but the information will be submitted quickly. The main point from the principal and the board of management is that half of the school's pupils are not even located on the grounds of the school. I do not know how long one would have to review the case to realise that if third, fourth, fifth and sixth classes are not even on the grounds of the school, it needs further accommodation.