Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2014
10. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school (details supplied) in County Longford which was approved in 2010; if her Department have been in contact with the board of management; if the site has been selected; if planning has been sought; the timeframe for the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37877/14]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for capital funding for a new school.
The school's request must be considered in the context of the financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic demand. The area where the school is situated has not been identified as an area of demographic growth.
My Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing numbers. This will continue to be the main focus for investment by my Department in the coming years.
In the interim, my Department has been in contact with the school management related to the leasing arrangements for the school on its current site.
