Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2007

Thursday, 8 February 2007

Ceisteanna (237, 238)

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

237 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department have acknowledged the need for a new permanent national school for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin and that the board of management were requested to acquire a site as far back as 1996 which they have done; and when she propose to initiate the process for the construction of the new school to meet increasing demands within the catchment area. [4452/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The school to which the Deputy refers has not actually yet acquired a site although it is understood that a potential site has been identified. Progress on the building project itself will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme when the site has been acquired.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

238 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that 25 to 30 children cannot be accommodated in a school (details supplied) in County Dublin for September 2007; the plans she has made to provide the extra accommodation required in view of same and the steps she has taken to meet the ever increasing demands for schools in Rush, Co. Dublin. [4453/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

There are two national schools in the area to which the Deputy refers. I recently gave approval for the appointment of a Design Team for a major extension project at one of the schools to meet future needs.

It is open to either of the schools to apply for temporary accommodation to meet short term needs. The relevant application forms are available on the Department's website www.education.ie

I am aware that, consistent with the Fingal Area as a whole, Rush is experiencing considerable development. The Department recently published an Area Development Plan in draft format which sets out the educational infrastructural requirements for this area into the future. The Commission on School accommodation has commenced a public consultation process on this document. When the final plan is published, this will become the framework against which capital investment for the area will be made for the foreseeable future.

The draft plan is entitled Draft Area Development Plan for North Dublin East Meath and South Louth and it is available on the Department's website.