Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 4

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

152 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 10 October 1999, his attention has been drawn to the fact Fingal County Council has not included any plans for secondary school buildings in its area action plan for the old Phoenix Park racecourse; if his Department was consulted on these plans; if he will arrange for his Department to clarify this matter with an official from Fingal County Council given the acknowledgement in his reply that there is already a lack of places and that further education provision at first and second levels is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22821/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Officials of my Department's planning section regularly meet their counterparts in Fingal County Council with a view to identifying the need for additional educational provision and reserving sites for schools as necessary. The objective is to ensure that there is adequate provision at first and second level in a given area to meet current and anticipated demand for pupil places.

Based on the pace and extent of housing development in the Dublin 15 area, my Department has concluded that further educational provision will be required and has asked Fingal County Council to reserve a number of sites for first and second level schools. These sites are in the Castaheany, Phibblestown, Porterstown and Diswellstown areas. The council has also been requested to reserve a site for a primary school on the old Phoenix Park racecourse. No reservation for a postprimary school has been made on the old Phoenix Park racecourse site because my Department is of the view that a second-level school in that area will not be required.