Paddy McHugh
Question:259 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will make funding available for the construction of a national centre for the visually impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21852/03]
Written Answers. - National Centre for the Visually Impaired.
Arising from the report of a planning group, which was established to consider pro posals for the development of a national centre for the visually impaired, my Department engaged a project team to consider an overall development strategy for the implementation of the planning group's report. The report of the project team was presented to my Department towards the end of 2002.
Having given careful consideration to the matter, I decided in April 2003 that the national centre as proposed should not proceed, having regard to the low and declining pupil numbers in the schools for the visually impaired and the development costs, estimated to be in excess of €30 million. However, my Department proposes to explore with the school authorities concerned how aspects of the proposed centre could be developed, in the context of available resources.