Vol. 538 No. 3
280 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in establishing a centre of excellence for autism at Myshall, County Carlow; if the transfer of sections of the property have now been finalised; and if the requests to enable the project to go ahead have been received from the Department of Health. [17682/01]
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to a Parliamentary Question on 12 April this year, following representations from the Irish Society for Autism and the South-Eastern Health Board, I directed that the Office of Public Works – who purchased Myshall Retreat Centre, County Carlow, on behalf of the State – be informed that I had no objections to it being made available to the South-Eastern Health Board for use as a centre for excellence for autism. I am informed that negotiations are at an advanced stage between the Department of Health and Children, the health board and the Office of Public Works with a view to making the necessary arrangements for the establishment of the centre. The Deputy may wish to contact these bodies to establish the current position.
