Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for being here this afternoon and showing her commitment by taking this Commencement matter. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting it.

The question relates to the development of an equine therapy centre on the Toghermore House site. When we talk about equine therapy and children with additional needs, it is important to realise the value it provides as a form of respite and regulation. That is what we have heard through the horse boy method. When one looks around at what good looks like, one can look to Liskennett Farm, which is part of the Saint Joseph's Foundation, on the Cork-Limerick border. It is phenomenal. We can also look to the developments taking place at Kanturk and what has been developed in Kilcloon, under Stewarts Care.

The Toghermore House site was becoming vacant two years ago. The site is slightly more 40 acres. As the Minster of State will be aware, there was a lot of conversation at home in Galway about what would happen with that site. That site was gifted to the people of Tuam to ensure it would remain available to them and those who are more vulnerable, be that disabilities or mental health supports. At that time a meeting was convened with a lot of stakeholders, including the HSE. It is important to acknowledge the work of John Fitzmaurice and Mary O'Halloran, Joe Hoare and Gráinne Cahill at HSE estates, along with the other stakeholders in the town.

There are more than just disabilities that are marginalised in Tuam. There are women in sport who are marginalised in Tuam, where they do not have their own pitches. They are continuously at the begging bowl locally. Also, Tuam Athletics Club does not have its own venue, nor does High Cross secondary school. There is a collection within the site. Could we develop the site to be disability-led and disability focused, which would make it the first of its type in the country? For example, the playing pitches could be marked and maintained by people with additional needs, creating employment opportunities. Working with Pierce O'Callaghan, the upkeep of the running track could create employment opportunities.

The Toghermore site is more than a site. It is one of the most beautiful places around. Rupert Isaacson from the Horse Boy Foundation visited it recently and said if it were to be approved, it would probably be the best designated site to deliver equine therapy in the British Isles. That is what we are looking at. There is also the opportunity for creating employment in the old units with a coffee shop, etc. As the Minister of State knows, when the HSE speaks to a project it will say the revenue spend needs to be acquired before the HSE can do the capital appraisals on it. I am hoping the Minister of State will bring the news and clarity that the revenue spend sought under the last budget is still secured and ring-fenced, and that the doubting Thomases will hear there will be funding for a regional equine centre to be developed in Tuam. Then we can talk about the tender process. We do need a regional equine centre. The other ones I mentioned are in Cork or Meath. We have nothing west of the Shannon. We have nothing in REO 1. We have nothing for children and equine disability progression. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.