Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
497. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the site acquisition process that will identify the location of the new 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Citywest, Saggart, Rathcoole and Newcastle areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32914/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the opening of 42 new schools over the next 4 years. This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the current and future need for primary and post-primary school places across the country. The school to which the Deputy refers was part of that announcement.
In line with the policy on the use of state assets (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars 11/15 and 17/16), my Department will be seeking to maximize the use of sites already in my ownership and of available properties in the ownership of other State bodies, where these are considered suitable. In addition as part of my Department's ongoing engagement with Local Authorities in respect of statutory planning processes and under the MoU on school site acquisitions, my Department are currently examining all potential suitable site options, including appropriately zoned sites, to serve the relevant area. Taking into account all of the above, a decision will then be made as part of the site acquisition process in relation to an appropriate site for the school to which the Deputy refers and will be confirmed as soon as possible.
