asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the large number of mentally handicapped children who are on the waiting-list and who cannot get accommodation anywhere in County Mayo, his Department will expedite the erection of a school in Ballina for the mentally handicapped.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo School.
80.
The position is that a grant towards the cost of the school cannot be sanctioned until the question of title to the site has been satisfactorily settled.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are several applicants in County Mayo who cannot get accommodation, regardless of where they apply? The local authority, the Western Health Board, or their public representatives cannot get accommodation for them? Would the Parliamentary Secretary not try to expedite erection of this school, for which a considerable amount of money has been collected locally?
I appreciate what the Deputy has said. However, the reality of the situation is that title has not been clarified. The chief state solicitor is in communication with the association's solicitors on the matter. When it has been clarified — which the Deputy will appreciate is a condition precedent of any grant — the grant will be available.