Schools Site Acquisitions

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Ceisteanna (223)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

223. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if there is a deadline for identifying, acquisition of and planning permission for a new site and building for a school (details supplied); if there a roadmap or plan for the next steps needed to be taken by her Department; if the local council will participate in sourcing interim or permanent accommodation; the interim accommodation sites identified; the person or body tasked with identifying and securing the interim accommodation; and if it will be secured in time for September 2021. [40851/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers opened in September 2019 in suitable interim accommodation pending delivery of its permanent building. For the 2021/22 academic year it will be necessary to move the school to an alternative interim location and options are currently being explored in that regard. My Department will continue to keep the Patron body and the school authorities undated on the matter.

In terms of permanent accommodation, a number of potential site options have been identified and officials from my Department, with the assistance of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, are currently appraising same. Once a preferred site option has been identified, negotiations with the landowner in respect of the proposed acquisition of this site will commence.

Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time. The Patron body will be kept up to date on the matter and will be advised of the permanent location as soon as it is possible to announce same.