Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
561. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 438 of 1 June 2021 459 of 22 February 2022, if she will facilitate a meeting between her Departmental officials with parents and guardians of a school (details supplied) [15086/22]
View answerMy Department have been working closely with both Galway City Council and Galway County Council to identify and acquire a Permanent Site for the Galway Educate Together Secondary School under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.
To date, following extensive site identification and assessment exercises, a number of permanent site options have been identified in both the East of the City and the County. Each of these site options were investigated by my Department in conjunction with officials from the Local Authorities. Unfortunately in the case of all options investigated so far, either the land could not be acquired from the landowner or the site was ultimately considered unfeasible to develop in the short term.
However, a couple of permanent site options have been identified that could be delivered in the medium term and officials in my Department are continuing to work closely with the respective Local Authorities to explore the deliverability of school facilities on these sites in the shortest possible timeframe.
Due to commercial sensitivities it is not possible to provide any further information at this stage. In light of these circumstances a meeting cannot be facilitated at this time but my officials undertake to keep the school and patron informed of any key developments. The acquisition of a site for the permanent school remains a priority for the Department.
