Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 457: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the proposals she has to provide new second level places in Balbriggan, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4535/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is implementing the first phase of a two phase strategy to provide extra accommodation at the existing post primary school in Balbriggan. In this regard a €1 million extension is being provided to cater for immediate needs. In addition, schedules of accommodation have been agreed for the second phase extension. Progress on the second phase is being considered in the context of the school building programme.

With regard to further provision, a new school planning model involving published area development plans is being piloted in five areas over the current school year. Balbriggan is included in the pilot scheme as part of an overall plan for the north Dublin, east Meath and south Louth area. The need for a new post primary school in the area will be considered in this context.

The purpose of this new approach to school planning is to ensure that, in future, the provision of school infrastructure will be decided only after a transparent consultation process. Parents, trustees and sponsors of prospective new schools and all interested parties from a locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process. Arising from this process, an individual plan will set out the blueprint for the future of educational provision in an area, which will be the touchstone against which all decisions on capital investment will be made for the next decade. The draft plan for the north Dublin, east Meath and south Louth area is nearing completion in the school planning section of my Department and I hope to publish it soon.