Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
206 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the provision of further school places in the Tallaght area to deal with the additional house building approved by South Dublin County Council and which is now in various phases of development; if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to deal with this challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8294/04]
View answerOfficials of my Department's school planning section meet on a regular basis with the planning department of South Dublin County Council with a view to identifying the need, if any, for additional educational provision and reserving sites for schools where required. A decision on the provision of new schools in the Tallaght area will involve further consultations with the local authority regarding the rate and likely timescale of housing developments, together with an ongoing assessment of the capacity of existing schools in the area to meet anticipated demand. My Department will continue to monitor developments in the Tallaght area and any needs identified will be addressed by initially increasing capacity at existing schools where appropriate or through the provision of new schools as necessary.
207 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of the new community school in Dingle, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8305/04]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that a new school building project for Dingle community school is due to proceed to tender and construction as part of the 2004 school building programme.
The indicative timescale in the programme for this project proceeding to tender is the second quarter of 2004. The tendering process for this project has commenced with the pre-qualification of suitable contractors. The school authorities will be kept advised of developments.
