Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the process used to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary levels to meet the demographic needs arising.

The forward planning section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. School accommodation requirements throughout the country have been considered as part of this detailed study. The five year school building programme, which was announced in March 2012, provides for a €2 billion school capital investment programme to 2016 and prioritises major school projects in areas where future significant demographic changes have been identified.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Midleton-Carrigtwohill area has been identified by my Department as one of the areas where, due to demographic changes, it is projected that there will be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post primary levels over the coming years. In that context, a number of school projects, including new buildings to facilitate the amalgamation of the two existing primary schools in Carrigtwohill and a new post-primary school, are proposed for the area and have been included in my Department's five year plan. In that regard, officials from my Department have been working in conjunction with the local authority towards securing permanent sites to meet both current and projected future needs in the area. The Deputy will be aware that there is a memorandum of understanding in place between my Department and the County and City Managers' Association. This memorandum of understanding fosters increased levels of co-operation and formalises the local authorities' role in identifying and securing sites for educational use. The level of local knowledge available under this arrangement has been critical in addressing the type of challenge presented where additional school accommodation is required in areas such as Carrigtwohill and Midleton.

Significant progress has been made on the school building project to which the Deputy referred. Agreement in principle has been reached on a suitable site, which will facilitate the provision of new buildings for the amalgamated primary schools and the new post-primary school. The conveyancing process is underway. Arrangements are being put in place to progress the building project. As the Deputy may be aware, the schools to which he refers were included in the list of projects announced today which are expected to proceed to construction in 2015. This project is being assigned to the Department's design and build programme and the school authorities will be invited to review the plans for the schools in quarter two of 2015.

See this speech in context