Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister most sincerely for her engagement with me on this process from the outset and her diligent attention to this school project, which is so badly needed in east Waterford and will do so much to improve the whole ecosystem of Irish in the region. We have an adjacent Gaelscoil as a feeder school to Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, which will take in almost 180 students this year and has had two junior cycle classes for the past three years. As the Minister knows, the school is going from strength to strength but it is still operating out of prefabs so the construction of a new school is badly needed.

I hope we can find a way to try to reduce the procurement timelines as much as possible. I envisage no planning difficulties in the area. The school will be most welcome. It is very badly needed for a burgeoning area of Waterford city. It is very important for the development and retention of our teanga and cultúr in Contae Phort Láirge.

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