The 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 has set out its recommendations for the Skerries area. The Department has stated that a site is being acquired under the Fingal School Model process for permanent accommodation for a special school in the area. It also states that the need for the provision of one new primary school may also arise.
The Commission on School accommodation has commenced a public consultation process on the draft document. Interested parties can participate in this process by either forwarding written submissions and/or by making oral presentations to the Commission. Arrangements will be made to hear oral presentations locally. The consultation process will culminate in a final infrastructural Plan which will become the framework against which capital investment for the areas concerned including Skerries will be made for the foreseeable future.
With regard to 2007 accommodation needs, it is open to schools in the area to apply for additional temporary accommodation to cater for increasing enrolments if they deem that this is warranted. Officials in the School Planning Section of my Department will liase with Principals in the Skerries area with a view to ensuring that all eligible pupils seeking places for 2007 will have access to them.