Written Answers. - School Accommodation.
Seán Crowe
Ceist:
287
Mr. Crowe
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if the Donabate-Portrane Educate Together school has any site from which to operate next year with numbers that meet his Department's standards for permanent recognition; and his plans for the future of the school.
[16814/03]
Seán Crowe
Ceist:
288
Mr. Crowe
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the reason it took his Department nine months, from September 2002 to June 2003, to contact Fingal County Council with regard to the designated site of the Donabate-Portrane Educate Together school.
[16815/03]
Seán Crowe
Ceist:
289
Mr. Crowe
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if his Department will commit to a timescale for funding the proposed site for the Donabate-Portrane Educate Together school; and if not, the reason therefor.
[16816/03]
Seán Crowe
Ceist:
290
Mr. Crowe
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if, in his statement that he has no objection in principle to Fingal County Council entering into negotiations with the authorities of the Donabate-Portrane Educate Together school, this means he has objections in practice; and if not, the nature of these objections.
[16817/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 to 290, inclusive, together.
Donabate-Portrane Educate Together national school was granted provisional recognition in September 2002. The school authorities were advised at that time that the question of permanent recognition would be considered when the Department was satisfied that long-term viability had been demonstrated and that the school was operating in accordance with the rules for national schools.
Until such time as permanent recognition is granted to the school, my Department will not consider purchasing a site to permanently accommodate the school. If and when permanent recognition is granted, budgetary factors will then determine the rate of progress on the acquisition of a site and on the delivery of permanent accommodation for the school.
The school was made aware, on being granted recognition, that it was likely that a period of seven to ten years would elapse before permanent accommodation would be provided given the number of schools already awaiting permanent accommodation and that it would remain the patron's responsibility to provide interim accommodation.
As part of the recognition process the school's proposals for accommodating the school were examined and, in granting provisional recognition, the Department accepted in good faith that the school had arrangements in hand to accommodate the school's growing needs for five to six years. The patron and board of management were instructed to undertake to develop and implement an enrolment policy that would, among other things, provide for incremental growth that would be manageable without overcrowding within the capacity of available accommodation. The available accommodation may necessitate the school in any year having to restrict its intake.
While it is the responsibility of the school authorities to locate suitable temporary accommodation, my Department assists by grant aiding reasonable rental costs. In relation to the proposal from the school authorities to enter negotiations with Fingal County Council, my Department has advised that it has no objection in principle to this proposal but naturally any proposal emanating from these discussions will have to offer value for money. There are also a number of technical considerations, including the implications for providing a permanent building at a later stage while a temporary school structure is located on the site. My officials did not write to Fingal County Council earlier due to the fact that the school authorities were exploring an alternative proposal until recently.
Question No. 291 answered with Question No. 269.
Seán Crowe
Ceist:
292
Mr. Crowe
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding in schools in the Killinarden parish area of Tallaght and the proposals by the planning authorities to allow the building of over 2,500 houses in the vicinity without land being set aside for an extra school; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16824/03]
Officials of my Department's planning section meet on a regular basis with the planning department of South Dublin County Council with a view to identifying the need for additional educational provision and reserving sites for schools, where required. The overall enrolment trend in schools in the Killinarden area is downward. However, in light of the proposed additional housing in the area, my Department will continue to monitor developments and any needs identified will be addressed by increasing existing school capacity, or through new school provision, as appropriate.
