Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1146. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if her Department intends to build a secondary school in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, given the population in the local area; the plans that her Department has for a site which is zoned for educational use at the location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41337/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, a major building project for the existing post primary school, Coláiste Chraobh Abhann , Kilcoole, Co.Wicklow is included in my Department's school building programme. The project is currently at Stage 2b (detailed design). When the project is completed, the school will have capacity to accommodate 1,000 pupils as well as classes for pupils with special education needs.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware , since April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 47 new schools. This included a new post primary school for the Kilcoole and Greystones school planning area as a regional solution and the school, Greystones Community College, opened in interim accommodation for the 2020/2021 academic year. The building project, to construct a permanent school building, which will have capacity for 1,000 pupils as well as accommodation for pupils with special education needs is currently at stage 2b (detailed design).
A building project for St David's Secondary School, Greystones is currently under construction and when completed will provide capacity for 750 pupils. My Department is satisfied that the delivery of these building projects will cater for future demand in the area in the short to medium term.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review, including those which may arise in the Kilcoole school planning area. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with Wicklow County Council in respect of its review of the County Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.
I wish to advise that a site zoned for educational use in the area will provide for a permanent location for Woodstock Educate Together National School.
