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Schools Establishment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2019

Tuesday, 9 April 2019

Ceisteanna (236)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

236. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the patrons selected for schools (details supplied); if accommodation has been sourced for the schools; when the schools are expected to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16607/19]

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Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including a new 16 classroom primary school and a 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in September 2019 to serve the area to which the Deputy refers.  

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.  

The patronage processes for the schools to be established in 2019, including the schools referred to by the Deputy, are complete and patronage has been awared to Educate Together for both the primary and post-primary school.

Following on from the announcement, the locations for all of the schools will be determined as part of the site acquisition process. A potential site option has been identified for the primary school and discussions are ongoing with the landowner with a view to acquiring this site. My Department has reached agreement in principle with a landowner to acquire a suitable property on which it is intended to provide permanent accommodation for the post-primary school referred to by the Deputy, subject to the views of the Planning Authority.  It is anticipated that the conveyancing process in respect of this proposed acquisition will commence shortly and the acquisition is subject to satisfactory title and contract.

An initial phased start-up is envisaged for the new schools, which typically involves the use of interim accommodation. My Department has appointed a Project Manager to assist in the procurement of interim school accommodation for new schools opening in September 2019.  I can confirm that the schools referred to by the Deputy will open in September 2019 in suitable interim accommodation.

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