Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
214. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the identification and acquisition of sites for the two new secondary schools to serve the communities of Malahide, Portmarnock and Swords in County Dublin and for the permanent building for the Malahide Portmarnock Educate Together national school; the timeframe for the identification and acquisition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17244/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the building projects for the new post primary schools to serve Malahide/Portmarnock and Swords are included in the 6 year construction programme that was announced last November, and these schools are listed to go to construction in 2019-21. Malahide Portmarnock Educate Together NS is currently in temporary accommodation on a Teagasc-owned property in Kinsealy and the project to deliver permanent accommodation for this school is also on the construction programme.
Officials in my Department are liaising with officials in Fingal County Council in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of suitable locations for all three schools.
Agreement in principle has been reached in respect of a site for the new post primary school in Swords and my Department is currently progressing with its acquisition.
In relation to the new post primary school to serve Malahide/Portmarnock the technical feasibility of an identified site option is currently being comprehensively assessed by officials from my Department in liaison with officials from the Local Authority.
Similarly, for Malahide Portmarnock Educate Together NS, an assessment of technical suitability in respect of an identified site option is currently being undertaken.
Due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions generally I am unfortunately not in a position to provide further details at this time. I can, however, assure you that the site acquisitions for all three schools are being advanced by my Department.
