Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2018
91. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for a permanent building for a school (details supplied); if the immediate crisis facing the school that is due to leave its premises in May 2019 and to date has no appropriate alternative building will be resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49538/18]
View answer101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allay the fears of the staff, pupils and parents in a school (details supplied) that has no premises from May 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49539/18]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 91 and 101 together.
As the Deputy is aware a Major Capital Project for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school in question to cater for a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1,000 pupils is being addressed through my Department's Capital Programme.
It is envisaged that this accommodation will be provided through a campus arrangement with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) on the site of Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE). In addition to providing a new 1,000 school it is also proposed to provide additional accommodation for BIFE and to refurbish their existing accommodation. My Department is liaising with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board with a view to commencing architectural planning as quickly as possible.
As the Deputy is aware the lease on the school temporary home is due to expire on the 30th April 2019 and my Department’s preferred option for providing interim accommodation is for the school to remain on the Putland Road site. In this context, the Department has indicated to the vendor of the Putland Road property that it would be interested in exploring the potential to licence or lease the property from a potential purchaser should the purchaser be amenable to such an arrangement.
My Department is also exploring other options should it not be possible for the school to remain in the Putland Road property. In this context, my Department is engaging with the patron body of the school and KWETB regarding all other possible short term accommodation solutions.
