Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to plans to find a suitable site for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; if discussions have been held with the Office of Public Works in relation to its study on the Liffey Valley Park and the possibility of a school site on the periphery; the length of time it is envisaged that the two additional temporary units will be in place for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13440/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has acknowledged the need for a replacement building to meet the future needs of the school referred to by the Deputy. It has also been established that the present site is unsuitable for further development. Therefore, prior to any progress being made on a building project for the school, a suitable site must be identified.

The board of management had previously indicated to my Department that it would be making proposals regarding an alternative site for the school. However, these proposals did not materialise. The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, will be asked to explore the possibility of acquiring an alternative site for the school in the context of the band rating applicable to the schools project under the prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.

In the meantime, approval has been given to the school for the rental of temporary accommodation to meet its immediate accommodation needs. This is a short-term rental agreement which will only remain in place until such time as the permanent accommodation needs of the school are met.