Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of sites currently available for new schools in the Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32798/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, sites that may be used for school projects in future would include those that are owned by schools, those in the ownership of local authorities and those in private ownership.

The Department considers the need for sites at both the level of individual schools and those of particular geographical areas as part of the new process of publishing Area Development Plans that has been introduced.

The Department is also included among the prescribed authorities to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development plans or proposed variations to development plans for comment. Under this process, the Department causes sites to be reserved for educational purposes which further assists in planning on a geographical basis. All sites reserved under this process are a matter of public record and are indicated in the County/Local Area Development Plans. In relation to my amendments, just a couple of points — sites owned by schools/patrons — this is the same thing.

Sites do not have to be zoned educational to acquire them. Just a matter of seeking planning permission. We liaise with all local authorities — not just Dublin for the reservation/acquisition of sites.