Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2022
240. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the permanent site for a school (details supplied); the estimated timeframe for making a decision on a permanent site if one has not been made; if the school could be accommodated on the same campus by extending into the adjacent unused site already zoned for community infrastructure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2697/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in April 2018 it was announced that 42 new schools were to be established over the period of 2019 to 2022. This announcement included a new post-primary school to serve Blanchardstown_WestD15 & BlanchardstownVge_D15 School Planning Areas.
In line with the policy on the use of State assets, which is also consistent with the objective of the National Development Plan for compact development in urban areas, potentially suitable State-owned properties in the School Planning Areas were considered. As part of that process, a Minister-owned site was identified as an option for potential redevelopment to accommodate a second school.
In the case where any such solution is being considered, engagement takes place with all relevant stakeholders regarding the feasibility of any proposed solution to identify what is technically feasible as well as finding a solution that is both mutually beneficial for the State and any school which may be impacted. The scope of any feasibility study would include issues of concern to any existing school/s on a site under consideration.
In this case, there has been engagement between my Department and the existing school on the site. My Department is currently considering matters raised by representatives of this school. Following a review of the matters raised, my Department will be in further contact with the existing school on the site in the coming weeks. As the review is currently ongoing, it is not possible to provide any further information at this stage.
The school site identification process is a dynamic one where new information on sites may come to the attention of my Department from time to time. My Department is in regular contact with local authorities to assist with this flow of information, and it will continue to do so in this case.
