John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's reply was clear and the information in it positive. I suggest the Senator engage directly with Fingal County Council. It is impossible to indicate the possible location of the site but the Minister has said very clearly that once the site has been identified, the Department will appoint a design team. I suggest the Senator contact the Minister's office directly on this so he can clarify who the contact person in Fingal County Council is.

Officials in the Department of Education and Skills strive to achieve best value for money on land acquisitions. Once the site acquisition process has been completed the school authority will be informed. We should move in that area. The Department has published technical guidance documents on the identification and suitability assessment of sites for primary schools which set out the criteria to be used in assessing potential school sites. These guidance documents recommend that as part of the evaluation of site suitability a number of factors be taken into account including zoning, existing services, site orientation, topography, transport and access. Working in conjunction with the relevant local authority, the Department uses its in-house staff. I suggest the Senator arranges a meeting with the Department officials and Fingal County Council, who may be able to move that issue forward for him.