Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the continuing delay in staffing and equipping a centre (details supplied) in County Armagh; if she will raise the issue with her counterpart in the Six Counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36773/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland are jointly engaged in the development of the Middletown centre for autism in County Armagh. Both Departments have jointly funded the purchase of the former St. Joseph's Adolescent Centre, Middletown and plan to refurbish the property with a view to developing a centre of excellence for children and young people with autism throughout the island of Ireland. The centre will be dedicated to improving and enriching the educational opportunities of children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders.

I have met my counterpart in Northern Ireland on two occasions this year and discussed the issue in question on both occasions and I am confident that progress is being made. Officials from both Departments are working closely on this project and this interaction between the two Departments will continue in the coming months with a view to ensuring the centre becomes operational as quickly as possible.