Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department recognises that, due to increased numbers at the school in the past seven or eight years, the accommodation is not suitable, and this is why it has been allowed to progress to the architectural planning stage and to continue to the planning stage. The figures to which I referred were for the future. During the tight budget constraints of the past three or four years, any money was being set aside for additional accommodation for increased pupil numbers. The spring budget statements are to be announced today. With the fiscal situation improving, the Department hopes to be in a position to add to it. The Senator referred to a review of the five-year plan. Given that we are in the final year of the existing five-year construction plan, it is intended to announce a new five-year plan this year, if possible. Much work has been carried out over the past six or seven months on researching and improving figures.