asked the Minister for Education regarding the proposed Ashbourne community school, County Meath, if she will give (i) the current owner(s) of the 14.4 acres of land purchased by her Department (ii) the current trustee(s) of the said lands (iii) the income, if any, which has been derived to date from lettings or otherwise of the said lands since purchase in June 1985 (iv) the intended trustee(s) of the lands when-if the school building programme is completed (v) whether or not she intends to build a first-level all-Irish school on these lands (vi) if (v) is positively confirmed, the factors taken into account and the parties consulted by her Department when assigning a first-level school to lands originally acquired for a second-level school (vii) if (v) is positively confirmed, the approximate acreage of grounds currently being apportioned to each school (viii) if (v) is positively confirmed, whether or not each school shall have separate, independent and autonomous amenities and facilities, playgrounds, entrances, and car parks within agreed boundaries (ix) if (v) is positively confirmed, whether ownership of the entire lands shall be vested in one set of trustees or if there will be separate sets of trustees for the separate school sites (x) if she will make a statement on the progress to date of the above building project(s), the stage at which each currently rests; the estimated dates of completion of the remaining stages; the estimated date(s) of opening of the school(s); and the amount of progress made since March 1987 (xi) the reason she has refused to meet members of the committee who have requested same on five occasions in the last 15 months; and if she will meet a deputation in the near future.
Written Answers. - Ashbourne (Meath) School Projects.
The information requested by the Deputy relating to the proposed post-primary school is as follows:
(i) The current owner of the site is the Minister for Education.
(ii) No trustees have been appointed to date.
(iii) No income is derived from the letting or other use of the site.
(iv) The intended trustees have not been appointed to date.
(v) It is proposed to provide a new school building for the Primary Gael Scoil on portion of the 14.4 acre site purchased for the community school.
(vi) The principal factors taken into account in this decision related to the location, the costings and the availability of part of the community school site. The matter was considered fully in the Department and with the architect for the community school.
(vii) The acreage for each site has not yet been determined.
(viii) No decision has yet been taken regarding the exact extent of the amenities to be provided for each school.
(ix) Arrangements for the vesting of the sites have not yet been made.
(x) A feasibility study has recently been completed in respect of the Gael Scoil. It is not possible to give a time scale for the remaining stages of architectural planning or to indicate when the building will be available.
The information in respect of the community school is contained in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 163 on Tuesday, 7 March 1989.
(xi) I have already indicated to local Deputies, Senators and local interests that I will be pleased to meet a deputation in this matter.