Officials in my Department are consulting with the County Monaghan Vocational Educational Committee with a view towards determining the accommodation requirements at Castleblayney college. My Department is aware of the condition of the old building and, to that end, a previous extension was built on the main campus to remove the necessity to use that building. A subsequent increase in enrolments by the school, however, has meant that this building has continued to be occupied. A senior inspector will visit the school shortly to finalise the accommodation to be provided in the form of a further extension, and to identify the school's short-term requirements. After he has done so, architectural planning of the new extension may commence.
In relation to the matter of student safety when crossing the main road, this is a supervisory issue for the school authorities in the first instance. The Department has advised County Monaghan VEC to liaise with the Garda Síochána and the local authority with a view towards devising a plan which will minimise any risk to the safety of the student population.