Vol. 501 No. 3
347 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in the planning and building process of a second level school for Knocklyon, Dublin, 16; when sanction will be granted for a school principal and management team; when the school will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5858/99]
My Department recently approved the stage 2 submission i.e. the outline sketch scheme for the new building at Knocklyon and authorised the design team to proceed to stage 3 (development sketch scheme) subject to a number of amendments. At this stage of architectural planning it is too early to say when tenders will be invited for the project or when construction will commence but it is hoped that the accommodation will be open for operation by September 2000.
The normal procedure in relation to the appointment of teachers for a new greenfield second level school is that my Department authorises the board of managment to advertise for a principal who may be appointed with effect from a date up to six months in advance of the scheduled opening date of the school. When the principal is appointed, the post-primary teachers section of my Department discusses and agrees the staffing requirements with him or her, having regard to the projected enrolment on the opening date. The board is then authorised to make the necessary arrangements for the recruitment of the appropriate teaching staff.
