I propose to take Questions No. 213, 214 and 215 together.
A total of 18 children are currently enrolled in the CABAS facility in Cork. My Department has agreed to fund an expansion of this facility to cater for up to 12 additional children. Efforts to arrange suitable accommodation for this expansion are continuing on an urgent basis. I am hopeful that the necessary accommodation will be in place early in the new school year.
I understand that applications for admission to the CABAS facility have been made in respect of a further 27 children. I understand that the parents of a number of these children are also considering alternative placements for their children. Legal actions have been initiated in respect of ten of the children. These actions are at various stages in the legal process. A number of the children in question will be accommodated through the proposed expansion of the CABAS facility.