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School Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2013

Thursday, 7 March 2013

Questions (14, 42)

Clare Daly

Question:

14. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views regarding the urgent accommodation needs of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin and the fact that it had to refuse enrolment in the catchment area for September 2013; and the way he proposes to deal with this issue. [11910/13]

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Clare Daly

Question:

42. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet representatives of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in order to address their critical accommodation problems. [11911/13]

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Oral answers (3 contributions)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 42 together.

I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department is considering an application for additional classroom accommodation to meet an increase in pupil enrolments in respect of the school to which she refers. This application is being assessed at present and my officials will be in further contact with the school authority shortly. In that connection, I do not consider a meeting, as requested, is necessary at this time.

The school concerned also has an application with my Department for a major school project involving school refurbishment and the replacement of temporary accommodation. As the Deputy will be aware, the delivery of school projects in those areas where most demographic growth has been identified will be the main focus for capital investment over the five-year plan. In this regard, the area referred to by the Deputy has not been identified as an area of significant demographic growth. Projections indicate that pupil enrolments will remain relatively stable for the foreseeable future. It is not possible, therefore, to indicate at this point when a further project for the school in question will be progressed.

It is a matter of deep concern for parents and children in the Malahide area. Despite the Minister's comment on numbers and population growth in the area, the school is faced for the first time with having to refuse the admission of 40 infants next September, which has caused many problems. The parent body and the school staff say this increase in numbers had been anticipated. While the Minister said he is examining the application for temporary accommodation, one of the reasons the school is struggling is the deplorable condition of the existing temporary facilities. The fact that the school has some provision, albeit very poor, is a reason it has not been favourably looked on for a more secure form of extension and a better premises. The premises are of a poor standard. There is a meeting at the school tonight and parents and staff need to know the timescale of the application in front of the Minister. If he is not in a position to meet them now, will that be revised? When will they have an indication? Could something be done in order that the 40 infants can be accommodated next September?

Regrettably, I cannot give the Deputy a concrete response to the questions she has raised, but I will examine the issue again and try to get additional information for her as soon as possible.

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