John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)

The Department is fully aware of the needs of Scoil Mhuire and the local area and the application for a new school building. I assure the Senator that the application will be reviewed further following the outcome of the NDP allocation process.

The Department acknowledges the ongoing discussions concerning a proposed new school building, which the Senator rightly pointed out. It will continue to engage with the patron, local authority and, I am sure, local representatives as part of its ongoing review of school requirements for the whole Carrick-on-Shannon area. I again thank the Senator for raising this matter.