Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
202 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the timescale in which he will address the totally inadequate provision of primary school places in east Meath in view of the growth of population in Laytown, Bettystown and surrounding areas; if a new school will be built in the area; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13485/04]
View answerAs I recently announced, over the remainder of this school year a new school planning model involving published draft area development plans will be piloted in five areas. Included in the pilot scheme is the south Louth and mid-Meath region, which covers the area referred to by the Deputy.
The purpose of this new approach to school planning is to ensure that in future, the provision of school infrastructure will be decided only after a transparent consultation process. In this regard, parents, trustees, sponsors of prospective new schools and all interested parties in the locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process. Following the consultation process, individual plans will set out the blueprint for schools development in an area covering a period of up to ten years. Pending delivery of the draft area development plan, the school planning section of my Department is examining the accommodation situation in primary schools in a number of areas in east Meath with a view to alleviating any short-term needs the schools might have.
