Vol. 490 No. 7
253 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will meet with a delegation from the parents' association of Ballyowen's Meadows School, Beechpark, Stillorgan, County Dublin to discuss the future operation and development of the special school for autistic children; if he will do so in conjunction with representatives of the Eastern Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11222/98]
254 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the provision of two additional classroom assistants and two additional care workers for the special autistic schools at Beechpark, Stillorgan, County Dublin. [11223/98]
255 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that adequate funding is provided to refurbish Ballyowen Meadows and Setanta special schools at Beechpark, Stillorgan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11224/98]
256 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have arrangements made to purchase the Beechpark Centre at Stillorgan, County Dublin which currently houses Ballyowen Meadows and Setanta schools that cater for 36 children with autism and relating disorders; the negotiations, if any, to date held with the Daughters of the Cross order of nuns with a view to purchasing Beechpark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11225/98]
257 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funding to enable the refurbishment of the classrooms under the Setanta Special School at Beechpark, Stillorgan, County Dublin; if he will also provide funding for refurbishment of the building at the back of Setanta for pre-school, clinical staff training rooms and staff rooms; and if funding will be provided for the restoration of the play area between both buildings. [11227/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 254, 255, 256 and 257 together.
The issues raised by the Deputy are the subject of detailed discussions which are currently taking place between the order which owns the Beechpark site and officials of my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Eastern Health Board.
The Beechpark site currently houses a range of facilities including three schools for children with special needs. One of these schools, which caters for children with severe hearing impairment, is due to close in June of this year due to falling enrolments. Alternative educational arrangements have been made for the five children currently enrolled in the school.
The other two schools on the site, Ballyowen and Setanta special schools, cater for children with emotional disturbance or autism and have been operating at the Beechpark site since 1995 under an interim arrangement agreed with the order. This arrangement is due to expire in June of this year.
I understand that the Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross of Lie ge, who own the site, are currently considering the disposal of part of the site. In this context, the order has recently put forward proposals aimed at accommodating the continued operation of the special schools and the development of support services at the Beechpark site as envisaged by the Eastern Health Board.
The proposals put forward by the order are currently being considered by my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Eastern Health Board. The objective of all sides, including the order which owns the site, is to facilitate the continued delivery and development of suitable education and health care services for the children at Beechpark.
