Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response and welcome the clarity provided therein. I welcome in particular that the approach taken by the Department is to identify the need for additional school places and then to examine the capacity of existing schools in the area to cater for the overall level of demand. I welcome also the Minister of State's clarification that the plan will prioritise new building projects and extensions in areas where specific demographic demand has been established, including special schools.

On each occasion this issue has been raised evidence of increased demographic demand has been provided. Only last week, the Minister advised that such is the demographic need and demand an application for five additional classrooms has been added to the current plan. I welcome the Minister of State's clarity on this issue and ask that he relay to the Department the need for prioritisation of funding under the new plan for the Holy Family school project.