Michael Ring
Question:445 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if the proposed new vocational school for Newport, County Mayo, will go ahead; and the proposals his Department has on this matter. [1410/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 January 2004
Questions (338, 339)
Michael Ring
Question:446 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been made on the catchment area for the proposed new vocational school in Newport, County Mayo. [1411/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 446 together.
As previously indicated to the Deputy no decisions have been taken on progressing the proposed new second level school for Newport. A final decision on this matter will be taken in the context of a development plan for the Newport and Westport areas resulting from the new model for school planning which I announced earlier this year. The new school planning model will be piloted in five areas, one of which covers the Newport and Westport areas, over the remainder of the school year with development plans being drawn up for these areas. My main objective is to ensure that all relevant parties have a say and that the process is open and public. The Commission on School Accommodation will conduct the public engagement and all submissions made to the commission by interested parties will be published. The commission will then draw up a draft development plan for the area, against which, following acceptance by the Minister, the planning and building unit will assess all applications for capital investment.
A decision on whether to progress with the school proposed for Newport will be made in the context of the development plan for the Newport and Westport area of County Mayo.
Question No. 447 answered with QuestionNo. 388.