Michael Creed
Ceist:374 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he envisages any need for additional primary and post-primary schools at a location (details supplied) in County Cork. [28309/00]
Written Answers. - School Accommodation.
There are currently four primary schools and two post-primary schools serving the educational needs of the area of County Cork referred to by the Deputy. These include a gaelscoil at primary level and an all-Irish unit attached to the community college.
While my Department has no plans at present to provide any additional schools at either level in this area, arrangements are in train to provide a new 1,000 pupil school to replace the existing community school.
My Department will continue to monitor the situation in view of ongoing housing development in the area concerned. As part of this process, officials of the planning and building unit will consult regularly with the forward planning section of Cork County Council with regard to development proposals and their implications. Liaison with existing schools is important, also, and these would usually alert my Department where the need for additional accommodation is anticipated.
In the event that the level of development and population growth in the area indicates a likely long-term need for additional primary or postprimary educational provision, a decision will be made on the means by which that need should be met. The appropriate response might involve extending existing school accommodation, a greenfield development, or a combination of both.