It says something about the heavy handed control by the Department of Education, that Galway City Vocational Education Committee is unable to spend £2,800 on essential alterations to a special toilet for people confined to wheelchairs without having the Department's approval for spending this small amount of money. The special toilet provided some years ago for people confined to a wheelchair is not suitable for persons with muscular dystrophy. As a result the pupil in question has to travel almost 200 yards in the open air to the recreation hall to go to the toilet. This is a source of embarrassment for the pupil in question and causes great inconvenience. Other aspects, which I do not want to go into here, are also very embarrassing for him.
I cannot understand why the Department has not yet decided whether to approve the grant. As a result the board of management is unable to proceed with the alterations. This does not say much for the caring attitude of the Government.
I appeal to the Minister to take whatever steps are necessary — I hope the grant is winging its way to Galway — to ensure the work is undertaken. Five months is too long to wait. The lack of concern and a caring attitude on the part of the Department and its disinterest in the matter display the wrong image. I hope the Minister will redress the matter as quickly as possible.