Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 1291: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has acquired a permanent site for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the cost of the site; the amount of land which has been acquired; when the building of the permanent school will commence; the estimated value of the contract; the estimated completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25860/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Negotiations regarding the acquisition of a site to cater for the permanent accommodation needs of the school to which the Deputy refers are at an advanced stage. Given the band one status attaching to this project under the prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects, it will proceed to architectural planning as soon as possible following site acquisition. Due to the commercial sensitivities attaching to site acquisitions generally, the information requested by the Deputy relating to site cost is not available for release at present. My Department's policy on all site acquisitions is to treat them with the strictest confidentiality until the acquisition has been completed. This is to ensure my Department will achieve the best value for money option. It is a further policy of my Department not to publish estimated building contract costs to avoid prejudicing the tendering process.

The amount of land to be acquired will allow for the development of school facilities to meet the needs of the school concerned along with shared community facilities which will be developed in conjunction with Fingal County Council. This co-operation ensures the delivery of school and community facilities maximises the use of available land and avoids the duplication of facilities such as sports facilities, playing pitches, etc.