Vol. 529 No. 1
940 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on whether the plans submitted by the Department of Education and Science for the upgrading of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 are appropriate; and if she will arrange for discussions to take place with the Department of Education and Science to prioritise the preparation and agreement of new plans. [30514/00]
The existing school building, together with adjoining residence, which dates from the 1840s, is an elegant single-storey protected structure and is the only known school in Ireland of its type designed by Decimus Burton, the famous English landscape architect, whose involvement in the Phoenix Park for nearly two decades from 1845 probably represented the greatest period of landscape change since the park's creation.
The plans submitted by the Department of Education and Science provided for a large two-storey extension which would not only detract from the architectural integrity of the building but would also be out of harmony among the park lodges in the vicinity. At a meeting with that Department some time ago, my Department's concerns in the matter were brought to their attention. The Department of Education and Science has been invited to re-examine their proposals and to submit new drawings. Officials from my Department will, of course, be willing to discuss any fresh proposals with them further.
