Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I am asking for an update on the application made by Catherine McAuley School on Ashbourne Avenue in Limerick. I was honoured when the Minister of State came to visit the school with me a couple of months ago to learn about its ethos and see what is going on in the school. It was a great day of celebration when we were there. The school put on part of its show about the story of Joseph and his multicoloured dream coat. Fantastic work is going on there.

The school was opened by the Sisters of Mercy in 1961, with 12 students present. It now has almost 300 students in primary and secondary education. It certainly meets the needs of students with learning difficulties. The happy and purposeful atmosphere we saw on the day was to be commended. I know its application has been in the system for a while. As the Minister of State saw on her visit, it purchased some prefabs at a low price during the Covid pandemic, with one for its autism room. Every inch of space in the school is being used. The school needs to progress. There is a waiting list for people to get in and the standard is very high. I ask for an update on the application.