Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would appreciate it if the Minister of State can provide us with a timeframe for the completion of a permanent school building for Holy Trinity national school in Leopardstown. This is a new school that serves the Leopardstown-Ballyogan area. It was established under the auspices of the Stepaside area action plan to serve one third of this rapidly developing area. The school, now in its third year, is a vital part of our community and is essential to the community's future development, cohesion and sustainability. It currently has classroom facilities for junior infants, senior infants and first class pupils who are in temporary accommodation.

In January 2006, the school was given a commitment for a permanent building. It was indicated that this project would be fast-tracked and the timeframe for completion was 12 to 18 months. Some 21 months later, however, a number of delays have been experienced. The architect's stage 1 and 2 plans were submitted in June 2007 and it appeared initially that they were fine, but no feedback was forthcoming. About three weeks ago, there were indications that the chief architect had examined the plans and it appeared that some issues had to be resolved. It has not yet been possible to identify what those issues are. Anxiety is growing because we are now nearing the time for enrolment for the next school year. We do not know, however, if the necessary accommodation will be available to allow for such future enrolment. It would be a pity if the accommodation is not made available because the school has got off to a tremendous start and there is great motivation within the community to keep it going. I would appreciate an update on the situation together with a timeframe as to when the permanent school building can be completed.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to thank Senator Corrigan for giving me the opportunity of outlining, on the Minister's behalf, the position of the Department of Education and Science regarding the provision of a Holy Trinity national school at Sandyford, Dublin 18. It is proposed to build a new 24-classroom school on a 2.5 acre site. The project is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The stage 2 submission, sketch scheme, is currently under review in the Department. The school's board of management will be kept advised of developments when this examination is complete. Under the national development plan, a sum of €4.5 billion is assigned to the capital requirements of the primary and post-primary sectors. Over €540 million will be spent on school buildings this year. The level of construction alone in the primary and post-primary sectors in 2007 is such that it will deliver over 700 classrooms to provide permanent accommodation for around 17,500 pupils.

The progression of all large-scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an ongoing basis in the context of the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme, in which the main focus is to deliver school places within rapidly developing areas. The progression of Holy Trinity national school, as with all large-scale projects, will be considered in this context. The Minister for Education and Science is committed to providing suitable, high-quality accommodation for the school at the earliest possible date.