Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the response. I very much welcome the fact that the Department will commit to engaging with the school. I cannot overemphasise the importance of the project. I know Ramsgrange Community School will engage with the energy and conditions survey the Department will open shortly. I know from my interactions with the school how keen it is to engage with the Department on that, in particular to ensure that the special classes, of which there are currently four, will be in a position to move to a purpose-built facility.

With 630 students attending a school built for 500 in prefab buildings from the 1980s, I encourage the Department to take the school's reflections on where things are at the moment and ensure that it is a priority. I would also like to invite the Minister for Education and Youth to come to the school and meet the students, school management and acting principal, Tracey Edwards. Perhaps the Minister of State might take that open invitation back to the Minister. The school is more than happy to facilitate the visit and show the Minister firsthand the real lived experience of the students in the school on a day-to-day basis.