The Department's senior architect with previous responsibility for this project has very recently retired. It is envisaged that his replacement will be appointed very shortly and it will then be possible to arrange a planning and briefing meeting between County Waterford Vocational Education Committee, the school's design team and the Department's officials in order to discuss the architectural planning of this extension.
The school principal and the vocational education committee have been notified of the position.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I am fully aware of the urgent need for this extension at St. Declan's Community College and I will ensure that every effort is made to progress the architectural planning of this extension so that the new building may proceed at the earliest opportunity.