Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018
188. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is agreement to sell land to Meath County Council in Ashbourne, County Meath; and if the lands are required for educational purposes. [22092/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMeath County Council has been engaging with my Department in relation to the proposed acquisition of a portion of lands in my ownership in Ashbourne, County Meath, which are surplus to my Department's requirements, and this process is being advanced.
Meath County Council has indicated to my Department that, subject to the relevant funding approvals being obtained, it wishes to proceed with the purchase of the portion of the lands in question for the purposes of housing and a public park.
My Department is retaining the remainder of the lands with a view to being in a position to provide school accommodation if required, on the basis that it does not currently hold
any other proposed educational lands in the area.
In relation to the question as to whether an education need arises, as the Deputy is aware, I recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools nationwide over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future which, based on the current analysis, can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools. It is important to note that approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.
I have highlighted that the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased roll-out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
In line with the ongoing review of school planning areas generally, I can confirm that my Department is currently reviewing the position in relation to primary provision for the Ashbourne school planning area.
