Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter since it affords me the opportunity to outline to the House the current position on Griffeen Valley Educate Together national school. The school opened in September 2002 with provisional recognition from the Department of Education and Science. It is currently housed in rented accommodation in the scout den in Lucan village.

During the period of provisional recognition it is the responsibility of the school patron to provide interim accommodation which must be capable of meeting the needs of the developing school until permanent recognition has been secured and the Department is in a position to acquire a site and provide a permanent school building. Interim accommodation must comply at all times with planning, fire, health and safety and building regulations.

In view of the restricted capacity of the scout den, which has a maximum capacity of 30, the promoters were advised to develop and implement an enrolment policy in line with the capacity of the available accommodation. This approach was essential to ensure there was no overcrowding that might create a health and safety problem for pupils and school staff. In response to its impending accommodation difficulties, the board of management of the school made a proposal to the Department to lease the site which has been reserved in the Griffeen Valley area for primary education purposes from the owners and house the school in temporary accommodation on the site.

The Department is acutely aware of the need for additional primary provision in the general Lucan area and exploring various options to ensure there will be adequate places available in September. In addition, it has instructed the Office of Public Works to commence negotiations on the acquisition of a site to facilitate the construction of a new school in Lucan. The Senator will appreciate that in view of the commercial sensitivity of the site acquisition process, the Department is not in a position to comment further on the matter at this time. I thank her for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position to the House.

The Seanad adjourned at 3.10 p.m. until 2.30p.m. on Tuesday, 10 June 2003.