Vol. 532 No. 2
212 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the primary school planned to serve the developing Stepaside area in the parish of Sandyford; and if he will indicate the school year when the facility will be open to pupils. [7087/01]
A need has been identified for new primary school provision to meet the demand for school places arising from the significant housing development in the Stepaside area. The Archdiocese of Dublin has indicated its intention to seek recognition for such a school and a formal application from the archdiocese is awaited.
The property management section of the Office of Public Works is acting on behalf of my Department in relation to school site acquisitions generally and is currently dealing with the purchase of a site in the Stepaside area.
The timeframe for the coming into operation of the new school will depend upon a favourable outcome to the school application and site acquisition processes. It would not be possible to say at this point when the facility will be open to pupils.
213 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has in place to provide a secondary school for the developing area of Stepaside, County Dublin; and the current status of these plans. [7088/01]
My Department has reserved a site for a post-primary school in the Stepaside area, following detailed consultations with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. While a final decision on the need for a post-primary school in this area has not yet been taken, the matter is under active consideration at present.
