Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
231. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in identifying a site for the proposed new post-primary school under the patronage of an organisation (details supplied) that is due to open in September 2018 in County Limerick; his plans for a temporary premises until the new school is built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA building project for the new post-primary school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s current 6 year construction programme.
Officials from my Department have been working closely with Limerick City and County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the school.
As the Deputy is aware, a number of potential site options have been identified and engagement with relevant landowners is ongoing.
While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time. However, the patron of the school will be informed of the location as soon as it is possible to do so.
The task of sourcing temporary accommodation for the Secondary School to which the Deputy refers, which is due to open in September 2018, has been devolved to the Patron body (Educate Together). The Department and the Patron are fully committed to the opening of this school. Educate Together are working on identifying suitable temporary accommodation to facilitate the opening of the school for September 2018 and the Department will provide any assistance necessary to help Educate Together in this regard.
