asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in providing sanction for the Ballina school for mentally handicapped children in view of the fact that 66 mentally handicapped children in the county are on the waiting list.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Mentally Handicapped Children.
54.
A grant towards the cost of this new school was sanctioned on 21st October, 1971, following receipt of satisfactory evidence of title. The necessary arrangements have been made to bring the project to the stage when tenders can be invited.
Is the Minister aware that the Association for the Mentally Handicapped in County Mayo have collected in the region of £45,000 in the past two years and in the past few days they have sent a representative to America to collect money for the school for mentally handicapped in Ballina? Is the Minister aware that his Department as well as the Department of Health have delayed sanctioning this school?
I do not agree that we have delayed the building of this school. I can inform the Deputy that I am giving it very high priority.