Schools Building Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 April 2024

Wednesday, 10 April 2024

Questions (69)

Alan Dillon

Question:

69. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education following her visit to the location (details supplied) in September 2022, where a commitment was made to a new facility, but no progress has been observed since then, could she confirm her Department's intention to fulfil this promise and if she will provide a timeline for this commitment, given that it is simply unacceptable for the school to operate from three separate campuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15640/24]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department has approved the provision of a new school building for Castlebar Educate Together NS. This project requires the provision of a new site. The site acquisition process is being progressed in line with standard acquisition protocols. My Department has engaged the services of a Site Acquisition Manager (consultant) in order to shortlist potential sites.

Following an extensive site identification and assessment exercise, a number of site options have been identified and investigated by the Department. A number of potential site options have been shortlisted for further consideration. This includes technical and economical appraisals of these potential site options.

The Deputy will appreciate that commercial sensitivities attach to site acquisitions such as this and I am not currently in a position to disclose further information.