Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
140. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 7 July 2021, the status of the acquisition of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); the details of the interim accommodation that will be provided for the academic year 2022-2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13314/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department have been working closely with both Galway City Council and Galway County Council to identify and acquire a Permanent Site for the Galway Educate Together Secondary School under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.
To date, following extensive site identification and assessment exercises, a number of permanent site options have been identified in both the East of the City and the County. Each of these site options were investigated by my Department in conjunction with officials from the Local Authorities. Unfortunately in the case of all options investigated so far, either the land could not be acquired from the landowner or the site was ultimately considered unfeasible to develop in the short term.
However, a couple of permanent site options have been identified that could be delivered in the medium term and officials in my Department are working closely with the respective Local Authorities to explore the deliverability of school facilities on these sites in the shortest possible timeframe.
The school will be located at the former school building in Newtownsmith from September 2022 on an interim basis for two school years.
In relation to the acquisition of permanent sites and as the Deputy will appreciate, the site acquisition process is very complex and subject to completion of successful negotiation and many conveyancing processes. Each acquisition is also very unique and dependant on multiple factors many which
may be outside of the control of my Department. The Deputy will also appreciate the importance of conducting a thorough appraisal of site options before proceeding with an acquisition in order to obtain best value for the Exchequer.
In this regard, it is not possible to give a specific timeframe for the completion of a permanent site acquisition.
