Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2017
75. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans to build a permanent school building for a school (details supplied); if this development will be fast-tracked; the position regarding the interim facilities that will be put in place until the new build is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43251/17]
View answerOfficials in my Department have been working towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers and have engaged with officials in the relevant local authority in that respect. My Department has reached agreement with the landowner of the preferred site and the acquisition is currently progressing through the conveyancing stage. Following the completion of the acquisition, the architectural planning process for the provision of a new permanent building for the school in question will commence.
I appreciate that the process is taking a considerable length of time but I can assure you that the acquisition of a suitable site for the school is very active on the programme of site acquisitions and every effort is being made to secure the suitable site for the school as expeditiously as possible.
In the interim, as the Deputy may be aware, this is a developing school located in rented temporary accommodation. A Consultant Architect has been appointed in relation to the provision of additional temporary accommodation for the school and it is anticipated that the final decision to grant planning permission will issue in the coming week from the local authority. This project is a high priority for my Department and work is ongoing to provide the additional accommodation as soon as possible.
