An independent investigation is to be carried out into allegations of serious misconduct against a suspended school principal who is seeking a court order reinstating him.

The Waterford secondary school that built up €500,000 in debts, mostly on refurbishments, got over €6m in Department of Education capital grants since 2000.

A school that racked up €500,000 debts on refurbishments with little educational benefit, and where teachers taught subjects they were not qualified to teach, has been slated by Department of Education inspectors.