Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue regarding the school's application and I appreciate his remarks. As I have said, my officials in the Department are working to assess the accommodation needs of the school under my Department’s capital scheme and will be in touch with the school authorities directly as soon as possible. This assessment will consider the current and projected enrolment at the school and will focus on providing any required additional capacity to meet the needs for mainstream accommodation and for students with special educational needs.

The significant capital envelope being made available by the Department of Education will be utilised to build a modern and sustainable school infrastructure to meet the needs of the school community in Balla. I will re-emphasise and commend what the Deputy has just said in respect of the community spirit. I am familiar with Balla in respect of sport and education, among many areas, and the work of the leaders in the school community who have re-energised and rebuilt the impetus that has driven that enrolment demand. I will fully reflect what the Deputy has said this evening and the need to make progress with this application with my senior colleague, the Minister, Deputy Foley. I thank the Deputy for his advocacy on this issue.

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