Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2006
611 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation in relation to planning permission by developers and conditions being imposed for the provision of school sites; if a precedent exists outside of strategic development zones; if discussions have been held with the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government regarding changes in legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34323/06]
View answerIn common with all large scale structures, planning permission is required for school developments. The client for the project applies for the planning permission. The client may be the Department, the VEC or the Board of Management of a school depending on where ownership of the site lies. Conditions attaching to planning permission are set by the local authority or An Bord Pleanala if initial observations/objections are carried to that stage.
In relation to the availability and acquisition of school sites, the Department is pursuing an ongoing programme of site acquisitions for school building purposes in many locations throughout the country. Local Authorities are obliged by statute to refer draft local area development plans to the Department for observation and comment so that lands can be zoned for future education use. There are numerous such sites reserved for education purposes particularly in the rapidly developing areas around Dublin so as to ensure that there will be sufficient land set aside and available for the future development of education infrastructure. Furthermore, under the provisions of the Strategic Development Zones (SDZ) it is generally the position that sites must be reserved for schools and also that the schools must be developed in line with the housing and other developments.
In addition, the School Planning Section of my Department is working proactively with some local authorities to explore the possibility of the development of school provision in tandem with the development of community facilities. This enhanced co-operation has the effect of minimising the Departments land requirements and thus reducing site costs while at the same time providing local communities with new schools with enhanced facilities.
The Deputy will be aware that the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, do not place any onus on developers to provide school sites other than at market rates. I am keeping an open mind as to whether legislative change might be of assistance or prove the best way forward here. In this regard, my Department has commenced exploratory discussions with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I would remind the House, however, that any changes in this area would require careful consideration in the context of constitutional protection for private property and indeed in weighing up how any reduction in the price per acre of any land given for schools development might impact on the unit costs and affordability of houses developed on the remaining lands.
