Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
147. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the position of a school (details supplied) currently on his Department's school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40376/12]
View answer148. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department is the owner of a property bounded by properties (details supplied); if he will outline his Department's plans for this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40377/12]
View answer149. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current planning permission for a school (details supplied) has now expired; the plans he has to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40378/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 to 149, inclusive, together.
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. My Department is actively engaged with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) in relation to the transfer of ownership of the property referred to by the Deputy. When the transfer of the site is complete, the building project for the school will be progressed to final stages of architectural planning which includes the completion of tender Documents.
Planning Permission was granted in June 2008 and remains valid. However, if it proves necessary, the design team may seek an extension to the planning permission. Due to competing demands on the Departments capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include the project referred to by the Deputy in the 5 year construction programme announced in March. School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in future years.
