Written answers

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Site Acquisitions

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to prioritise and progress the acquisition of a site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29848/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for Gaelscoil an Chaisleain is included in my Department's capital programme.

Officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in Cork City Council and other relevant parties in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site for the school.

A number of site options have been identified and assessed. A potential preferred site option has been identified. Negotiations with the landowner in respect of this preferred site option to accommodate the school are under way. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, negotiations in respect of site acquisitions are, by their nature, sensitive and for that reason I am not in a position to provide further information at this time. I can assure the Deputy that all parties are working to bring matters to a conclusion at the earliest possible date and Department officials will continue to keep the relevant school authorities appraised of progress.

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for obtaining a permanent premises for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29995/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to providing permanent accommodation to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers. A number of potential site options have been identified and officials from my Department are currently appraising same. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

The school is currently located in interim temporary accommodation at Kill O'The Grange, Blackrock pending delivery of its permanent accommodation. I would like to assure the Deputy that the acquisition of a new site for the school is a priority for my Department and the patron body will be informed of the location for the school as soon as it is possible to do so. In this regard, the school building project will be progressed into Architectural Planning once a suitable site has been acquired.

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