Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will acquire the further 1.5 acres reserved for primary school development at Littlepace, Castaheany; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that only part of the reserve site was acquired by her Department and is currently hosting three schools; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the existing site (details supplied) is grossly overcrowded and is to be significantly extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37204/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy states, there are three schools on the site in question. Two of these schools, however, are using the site on a temporary basis only and, as the Deputy will be aware, it is planned to ultimately permanently locate them on a site at Ongar.

The site itself at Littlepace will accommodate two 16-classroom schools with a shared community facility. One of the school buildings has already been delivered and a project to provide the other has a target delivery date of September 2007.

The Department is currently examining how the needs of the three schools concerned can be met for next September. It will keep its options open in relation to the need or otherwise to purchase additional lands at Littlepace.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cost to date of the acquisition of primary school land at Littlepace, Clonee; from whom the site was purchased; the costs to date of developing the permanent primary school (details supplied); the temporary pre-fab accommodation used by a number of schools; the estimated cost of the proposed extension the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37205/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department purchased a 3.8 acre site from Menolly Properties Ltd at a cost of €2.45m for the school in question. The existing primary school building was provided at a cost of €3.6m. The extension to the school is expected to cost €4.8m.

There are three schools on the site in question, Mary Mother of Hope N.S., St. Benedict's NS and Castaheany Educate Together NS. The latter two of these schools however are using the site and prefabricated accommodation on a temporary basis only and it is planned to ultimately permanently locate them on a site in Ongar. The prefab accommodation was initially provided to house Mary Mother of Hope and subsequently was used for the other two when Mary Mother got the first phase of its permanent building.

The cost of providing the temporary accommodation was €1.5m, of which €1 million related to the purchase of prefabs. It is the Department's intention that these prefabs be used to meet the needs of other schools when they are no longer required in Littlepace.

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; when the construction of the school will be advertised; and if it will be available for enrolment for September 2007. [37214/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of a 1,000 student post-primary school in Donabate is a project of the highest priority for this Government. Some weeks back I gave an undertaking that as soon as the legal process for the transfer of the site to the Department's ownership had been agreed with Fingal County Council, the project could be moved to the next stage. That has now been agreed and I am glad to have been in a position to announce the project, among 80 others, for progress yesterday.

The terms of the agreement with Fingal County Council will not only ensure enhanced facilities for the school but will also provide for community access to the school's sports facilities. In relation to the timescale for the new school building, I assure the Deputy that I am acutely aware of the needs of the Donabate-Portrane area and I am determined to progress this project as quickly as possible. The project will be fast-tracked and a project manager will now be appointed to initiate the procurement process for the new school.

It is intended that Donabate Community College will welcome its first intake of students in September 2008. The initial group of students will be accommodated in temporary accommodation with the new building being provided as soon as possible thereafter.