Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Ó Broin, Ward, Gino Kenny and Higgins for providing me the opportunity to update the House on the transfer of lands and the provision of a primary healthcare facility at Collinstown Park Community College in Clondalkin. I acknowledge that there is unanimity among the Deputies and I appreciate the passion with which they speak and the necessity for their constituents.

The HSE has been seeking to acquire a site for a primary care centre at Collinstown Park Community College. This school site is in the ownership of the Minister for Education. Discussions have taken place with the HSE regarding the disposal of part of the site to the HSE for the development of the primary care centre. Discussions between the HSE and Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education Training Board, DDLETB, have been ongoing for a number of years and, more recently, with my Department. The initial proposal developed from an engagement between DDLETB, the school and the HSE was that the HSE would construct a facility adjoining the primary care centre for the use of the school. The site for this development is separated from the main school building by an internal access road. Initially, this facility was intended to be a library, but it then evolved into a multifunctional space that could be subdivided, if required.

Following a review of the proposal by my Department in consultation with the HSE and ETB, it was determined that the provision of additional facilities for the school that adjoined the main school building would be more effective and provide a value-for-money solution. The Department of Education has engaged with the HSE and the ETB concerning the delivery of the facilities at their revised location adjoining the school as part of the disposal agreement.

Following further engagement with the HSE and ETB, I am pleased that it has now been decided that the disposal of the site for the primary care centre will proceed separate from delivery of the facilities to the school. This is a significant positive. My Department will proceed to progress the disposal of the site to the HSE in line with the protocols for the disposal of sites between State bodies and subject to the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The Department of Education is in discussions with the ETB regarding the provision of additional facilities for the school. The ETB will be submitting an application for the proposed additional facilities shortly and this application will be processed promptly upon receipt. It is anticipated that the Department will be in a position to advise the school and HSE of the outcome of this engagement with the ETB soon.

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