Schools Building Projects Status

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2019

Tuesday, 19 November 2019

Ceisteanna (214)

Declan Breathnach

Ceist:

214. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a new 600 pupil post-primary school for south Drogheda and east County Meath announced in April 2018, which was to open in 2019, has not been built; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that temporary accommodation for the school can only accommodate 48 pupils; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that demand for places at this school is very high with a large number of disappointed applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47730/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The project to deliver the school’s permanent accommodation requires the acquisition of a suitable site and engagement with a landowner in respect of an identified site option is currently underway.

A planning application was submitted to the Local Authority for Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School to be located on third party lands at Colpe, in interim accommodation pending purchase of the permanent site. Final Grant of planning was issued on 16 September 2019.

In the meantime the school opened in September 2019 in interim accommodation in a building in Laytown, which is owned by the Department of Education and will remain there until they relocate to the site at Colpe.

Having reviewed the planning permission granted my Department is satisfied the school could accommodate up to 72 pupils in first year intake from September 2020.

The temporary accommodation has been tendered. There are significant elements of new road access requirements which are currently under discussion with the landowner. It is anticipated that the installation of the temporary accommodation together with the ground works and road access will commence early in the New Year.