Once again, the issue of a special school for County Monaghan was brought to the attention of the Taoiseach. Last week, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, asked Minister Heather Humphreys who was sitting in for the Taoiseach, about the same issue. This time, Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy used leaders' questions in the Dáil to ask Simon Harris why he did not follow up on a promise he made back in June to meet with local families to discuss the lack of services and facilities in the county.
Deputy Carthy put it to Simon Harris that back in August the Taoiseach's office said it was in "a process of identifying a suitable date" for that meeting. Matt Carthy asked if that process concluded and when the leader of the country would fulfill his commitment to meet the local families let down by the current government.
As Simon Harris made to respond to Matt Carthy, Heather Humphreys, the only sitting minister for this region in Dáil Éireann, interjected to repeat her statement that the delivery of a special school in Monaghan is subject to a process, which is ongoing by various departments. The Cavan-Monaghan TD said Matt Carthy's party is "strong on processes":
The Taoiseach brought the debate under control by saying there was a serious issue at play and said Monaghan would be considered in a nationwide review of special school requirements for September 2025:
