Vol. 568 No. 1
97 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding contacts between his Department and Fingal County Council in regard to the provision of suitable accommodation for the pupils of Donabate Portrane Educate Together school. [15827/03]
In response to its pending accommodation difficulties the board of management of Donabate-Portrane Educate Together national school made a proposal to my Department, which would involve the lease or purchase of a site reserved for educational purposes, from Fingal County Council in order to house the school in temporary accommodation on the site.
The school was granted provisional recognition in September 2002. The school authorities were advised at that time that the question of permanent recognition would be considered when the Department was satisfied that long-term viability had been demonstrated and that the school was operating in accordance with the rules for national schools. Until such time as permanent recognition is granted to the school, my Department will not consider purchasing a site to permanently accommodate the school. If and when permanent recognition is granted, budgetary factors will then determine the rate of progress on the acquisition of a site and on the delivery of permanent accommodation for the school.
Officials of my Department have recently written to Fingal County Council to confirm that my Department has no objection, in principle, to the Council entering into negotiations with the authorities of Donabate ETNS in regard to leasing the site to the school for educational purposes. There are, however, a number of technical issues which have to be determined and the financial implications of any proposal will be carefully examined before a final decision is made.
