Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
1091 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science when the plan to amalgamate two schools (details supplied) in County Wicklow will receive sanction to proceed; if land will be provided for this purpose in view of any proposal to site another school on this site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1182/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department welcomes the proposal from the boards of management of the schools in question to amalgamate. To progress the matter, a technical examination of the existing school buildings was carried out to ascertain if either would be suitable to act as a host for the newly emerging school. Unfortunately, neither was deemed suitable and my Department now intends to proceed by way of acquisition of a greenfield site. As soon as a suitable site is acquired, delivery of the building will be considered in the context of the school building programme.
In addition, my Department recently assessed the broader long-term needs at primary and post-primary level in the area in question. It is now planning for the provision of suitable cost-effective solutions to meet the needs identified.
