School Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 June 2010

Wednesday, 9 June 2010

Ceisteanna (339)

Liz McManus

Ceist:

338 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the population base continues to grow in Greystones, County Wicklow, and is placing pressure on capacity of a school (details supplied); her views on proposals from the board of management regarding redevelopment of the existing site along with the conversion of the convent building on the adjacent site which is lying vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24184/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for additional accommodation to facilitate the appointment of an extra teacher for the new school year and for resource teaching. The school's application is currently under consideration and a decision will issue to the Board of Management in due course.

The Board of Management has not made any proposal to my Department to develop the Convent building on the adjacent site.

However, in recognition of the population growth in Greystones, my Department recently opened two new primary schools. The need for any additional accommodation in the area will continue to be monitored by the Department's Forward Planning Section.