School Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 May 2014

Thursday, 29 May 2014

Ceisteanna (9)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

9. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that his Department will give permission for a school (details supplied) to enter into a five-year lease agreement with NCE campus in Farranferris, County Cork; if a funding application by the school to fit out additional classrooms needed as a result of a large increase in student numbers in September 2014 and to provide a suitable play area will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23277/14]

Freagraí ó Béal (5 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien

This question is about a gaelscoil on the north side of Cork city and an issue it has with extending its lease because of the Department's failure to give it an assurance that it will continue to fund it as a public school.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

A new application for significant additional accommodation comprising additional mainstream classrooms, resource rooms and ancillary accommodation for the Gaelscoil in question has recently been submitted to my Department. The application is under consideration and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority shortly. The school has also submitted a draft five-year lease to my Department for consideration. The proposed draft lease incorporates the additional accommodation. Once a decision on the additional accommodation has been finalised, my Department will further liaise with the school authority regarding the proposed lease agreement.

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien

This is a matter of urgency. Some parents are wondering whether the NCE and Department will sign this lease. The school wants only a letter of comfort from the Department stating it will continue to receive funding for the next five years. The landlord in question refuses to sign any lease until he receives the letter, which has not been forthcoming.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

The Department is carefully considering the lease and will shortly liaise with the school authority to finalise issues surrounding the lease agreement. As I would not like to mislead the Deputy, I cannot give a timeframe, however the Department is actively addressing this issue and intends to engage with the school authorities in the near future.

An Ceann Comhairle

As the Deputies who tabled Questions Nos. 10 and 11 are absent, we will take Question No. 12.

Question No. 10 replied to with Written Answers.