Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 152: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork which is on the school building programme for a new school building and has been designated to move to construction stage in 2014/15, and has an autism spectrum disorders unit in its current temporary premises; and if he will confirm whether the plans which have been approved by the local authority for the new school building provide for an ASD unit. [26522/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, my Department is actively engaged in the process of acquiring a site for the proposed new school, referred to by the Deputy, and have reached agreement, in principal, subject to contract with Cork County Council, in relation to the proposed purchase of the site concerned. In this regard, the issue of the "decision to grant planning permission" by the Local Authority is awaited.

I wish to confirm for the Deputy that it is my Department's intention to make provision for pupils with an autism spectrum disorder within the proposed new school. My Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities concerned to progress this project.