Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018
213. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 66 of 22 May 2018, if there is a problem with the sites for the new proposed schools in Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39523/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the opening of 42 new schools over the next 4 years. This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the current and future need for primary and post-primary school places across the country. This announcement included two new primary schools for Swords: one in North Swords and one in South Swords.
A site currently in my ownership in Mooretown, Swords has recently been granted planning permission in respect of the provision of permanent accommodation for Swords Community College. This planning permission also provides for a primary school on this site and it is intended to locate the new primary school announced for North Swords on this property.
A site identification process in respect of the new primary school announced for South Swords is currently underway. In line with the policy on the use of state assets (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars 11/15 and 17/16), my Department will be seeking to maximise the use of sites already in my ownership and of available properties in the ownership of other State bodies, where these are considered suitable. In addition as part of my Department's ongoing engagement with Local Authorities in respect of statutory planning processes and under the MoU on school site acquisitions, my Department is examining all potential suitable site options, including appropriately zoned sites, to serve the relevant area.
A decision regarding the location of the school in South Swords will be made at the earliest possible date.
