Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have had a number of conversations about this issue. I apologise to the students for being unable to meet with them last week; I was at an event at the Aviva Stadium. I thank them for their correspondence.

A major capital project for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy to cater for a long-term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils is being addressed through my Department's capital programme.

My Department has been liaising with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, KWETB, with a view to providing the new 1,000 pupil school on the site of Bray Institute of Further Education, BIFE, in a campus-type arrangement.  The site in question is almost 12 acres.  It was envisaged that the master planning of the site would also provide an opportunity to put plans in place to provide modern fit-for-purpose accommodation for BIFE through a multi-million euro investment.  Unfortunately, my Department understands that the board of the ETB does not agree with this approach.

My Department will have to consider this development and the next steps to address the long-term accommodation needs of the school.  This will be done as a matter of priority given the urgent need to find a permanent home for the school.

With regard with the school's interim accommodation, the lease on the school's temporary accommodation on Putland Road is due to expire on 30 April 2019 and the property is up for sale. My Department’s preferred option for interim accommodation is for the school to remain in this location.  Accordingly, my Department has indicated to the owner of the property that it would be interested in exploring the potential to licence or lease the property from the purchaser should the purchaser be amenable to such an arrangement.

My Department is also exploring other options should it not be possible for the school to remain in the Putland Road property.  In this context, it is engaging with the patron body of the school and KWETB regarding all other short-term accommodation solutions.  My Department is meeting with the patron and school management tomorrow regarding the accommodation issues.

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