Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
269. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a problem with the school building (details supplied) in County Louth, it is not appropriate for the numbers attending and there is a serious traffic management problem in close vicinity to the school; the measures he will take to address these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58174/12]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department received correspondence from the school authorities in June 2012 relating to the matters to which he refers. The school stated that they had drawn up a plan for the development of the school, including proposals to address traffic management issues. However, the development would require the acquisition of additional land adjacent to the school which is owned by the local authority.
My Department's position, in general, is that lands adjacent to existing schools should, where possible, be protected for possible future educational use to allow for expansion of these schools, if required, subject to site suitability and agreement of the various stakeholders. In the case referred to by the Deputy, this would not preclude the local authority developing this land to address any traffic management issues.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that in May 2012, my Department sanctioned a grant to the school to facilitate the construction of two permanent classrooms to replace rented prefab accommodation. I understand that construction work on this project commenced in November last.
