Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2007
275 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation in respect of the proposed new second level school for Donabate, County Dublin; when it is expected that a tendering process will be completed; when it is expected that work will commence; and her plans to meet the requirements for the children seeking post primary education in the interim. [9283/07]
View answerI have given the go ahead for a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school in Donabate, Co. Dublin. This new school will be delivered along with new schools in Phibblestown, Co Dublin and Laytown, Co. Meath under a design and build contract that is aimed at delivering 3,000 school places for these rapidly developing areas. The inclusion of these three projects in one bundle will further facilitate the achievement of value for money. My Department has appointed Project Managers to oversee the delivery of the projects and they are arranging for the sites to be surveyed. The procurement process is well advanced for a Design Team to do the initial design of these 3 new schools. Thereafter, a Design and Build contractor will be appointed to complete the designs and build the new schools. My Department is working closely with County Dublin Vocational Education Committee on the delivery of the Donabate project. Assuming there are no delays during the design and planning permission phases it is envisaged that the school will be completed as close as possible to the 2009-10 school year. In the meantime my Department has requested the VEC to submit its interim accommodation requirements so that the new school can become operational in advance of the completion of the new permanent school building. My Department will ensure that this interim accommodation request will be dealt with speedily and positively in order to ensure that appropriate school provision is in place in this rapidly developing area.
276 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the need for a post-primary school in Lusk, County Dublin; and when she expects to sanction the provision of same. [9284/07]
View answerThe Department recently published an Area Development Plan in draft format which sets out the educational infrastructural requirements of the North Dublin, East Meath and South Louth area into the future. In this draft Plan, which is available on the Department's website, www.education.ie, the Department recommends the provision of a 1,000 pupil post primary school for the Lusk area. The Commission on School Accommodation has commenced a public consultation process on the draft document. Interested parties can participate in the process by forwarding written submissions or by making oral presentations to the Commission. Arrangements will be made to hear oral presentations locally. The first series is expected to start on Monday 26th March 2007. The consultation process will culminate in a final infrastructural Plan which will become the framework against which capital investment for the area will be made for the foreseeable future.
