Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2004
95 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is his Department's policy to maintain and develop schools in the Dublin inner city area; the way in which Christian Brothers, Westland Row, conforms to this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3547/04]
View answer96 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals his Department has for the provision of education at Christian Brothers, Westland Row, Dublin 2 as of 1 February 2004; whether this involves the refurbishment of the existing premises at Westland Row or the entering into of negotiations for a greenfield site in the Dublin docklands area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3548/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.
My Department is in receipt of an application for a new school from the principal of Westland Row CBS. Since the school is one of three post-primary schools serving the needs of the south inner city area of Dublin, with a combined current enrolment of 444 pupils, my Department is exploring the possibility of a single school development in the area with the relevant trustees. As part of this process, accommodation options for such a development are being examined.
The issue of a site in the area of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, DDDA, was raised in the context of the application for a new school from Westland Row CBS. However, following discussions with the DDDA, officials from the school planning section of my Department are satisfied that a site in the docklands for a new post-primary a new school is not a viable option due principally to the limited area of the sites available.
