An announcement that Meanscoil Feirste is to be officially recognised and is to get state funding is expected later today, sources close to the school said last night.
Recognition for the all Irish secondary school in west Belfast was earlier thought unlikely before the elections in the North. However, speculation has increased that it would form part of efforts to secure a renewed IRA ceasefire.
Meanscoil Feirste opened in 1991 with nine pupils, and has a projected intake of about 200 this autumn. Its status has been repeatedly raised by the Irish side at meetings of the Anglo Irish Secretariat.
The school reapplied for recognition about three months ago, following earlier applications were refused on the grounds of insufficient numbers.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern and the US ambassador, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith, visited the school last year.