Site Acquisitions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Ceisteanna (391)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

391. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on plans to develop a new education campus at Ballinrea, Carrigaline, County Cork; the new school facilities that his Department intends to develop on the site which has been acquired; the size of the site that has been acquired; if it is sufficient in size to meet the needs of his Department; the steps achieved to date and the remaining steps in the process to complete the campus project; if he will provide an update on the patronage of each of the schools; when he expects these schools to be on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38368/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The delivery of a new Education Campus at Carrigaline has been devolved to Cork Education & Training Board. The Campus will consist of a 24 classroom Gaelscoil, a 500 pupil Gaelcholaiste and a 7 classroom Sonas Special School. The site for the proposed Campus is 8.5 hectares (21.1 acres) and the Department is of the view that the site is sufficient to cater for the accommodation needs of all three schools. The Campus will consist of a 24 classroom Gaelscoil, a 500 pupil Gaelcholaiste and a 7 classroom Sonas Special School. Cork Education and Training Board has appointed a Design Team and the project is currently in the early stages of architectural planning. When the Campus has been designed the project will proceed through planning and then to tender and construction. All three school projects were included in the 5 Year Construction Programme announced in March 2012 and are scheduled to commence construction in 2014/2015. The Patronage of the three schools is as follows: Gaelscoil Carrigaline - Catholic Bishop of Cork & Ross Gaelcholaiste Carrigaline - Cork Education & Training Board Sonas Special School - Brothers of Charity.