John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the context of increasing staffing at the school, the Department has advised the school that it would be open to dealing with any application for immediate needs.

It is anticipated that the decisions based on the exercises, that I mentioned earlier, and criteria laid down would be in place by the end of the year. The Department has said that the school is included in its construction programme to primarily replace existing classrooms. The Department is in contact with the school. If the Senators need a further update either the Minister or myself will be delighted to do so in the next couple of weeks. My information, having spoken to the officials, is that the school is seen as a priority and the officials have been in contact with the school to deal with such a priority.