Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

517 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new secondary school at Mounthawk, Tralee, County Kerry, to accommodate the amalgamation of Mayderwell and Balloonagh Convent secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12161/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The position regarding the provision of a new secondary school at Mounthawk, Tralee, County Kerry, is that the Stage 3 documentation — developed sketch scheme — was recently received in the planning and building unit of my Department and is currently being examined. As soon as this examination is completed and the drawings found to be satisfactory the project will be allowed to proceed to Stage 4, which is the detailed design.

Seán Haughey

Question:

518 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the establishment of an all-Irish second level school in north east Dublin; if he will report on the suitability of the site beside Scoil Neasáin in Artane, Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12162/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

A review of the need for additional all-Irish post primary facilities in the Dublin north-east area has been carried out by the planning section of my Department. The results indicate that additional facilities will be required to meet the anticipated demand arising from increased all-Irish provision at primary level in this general area.

A proposal has been submitted to my Department by a local group, An Fochoiste Meánoideachais, and City of Dublin vocational education committee that a school should operate on a site adjacent to Scoil Neasáin in Artane. The suitability of this site, even as a very temporary location for an educational facility, is in question because of its small size.

There is, however, a significant amount of surplus accommodation in post primary schools in the north east of Dublin. In the circumstances, it is essential that the possibility of using existing accommodation for an all-Irish post primary facility should be fully explored before any other option is considered. A meeting between officials of my Department and representatives of An Fochoiste Meánoideachais and City of Dublin VEC to discuss the matter has been arranged for Wednesday, 3 June.