David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. In general, I support the overriding objective that every child, including children in this catchment area, have access to a physical school place. I acknowledge that the application was only received by the Department on 2 November. I act fast, as does the school, but so, too, does the Minister. I hope he will be able to give this application due consideration. This is an example of a school that is planning for the future in a forward-thinking way. I imagine that the Minister wants schools to do this and work constructively with their elected representatives and others to ensure current and future demands are met. In that regard, the school is obviously doing the right thing. It has made the application, but it has asked us to convey directly to the Minister the fact that there will be an increase in the enrolment number next year. It expects further growth in future years. It is trying to plan ahead and avoid getting caught in circumstances in which, as the Minister said in terms of the overriding objective, accommodation will not be sufficient to meet the demand. I acknowledge that the application was only made recently. I appreciate that the Minister and his officials will have to consider it in the context of many other demands being made. Perhaps, if there is positive movement in the short term, the Minister might communicate this to all local Oireachtas Members.

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