Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 288: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department plans to provide a secondary school at a location (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10670/07]

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

The area to which the Deputy refers is the subject of a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). The planning scheme for the SDZ, which is endorsed by An Bord Pleanála, requires that housing and supporting infrastructure, including schools, be provided in a phased manner. It is a condition of the SDZ that at completion of phase 2 (maximum of 1,800 housing units) a primary school of 8 classrooms or a post-primary school of 12 classrooms be in place. Subsequent phases require the provision of further school accommodation.

In compliance with the requirements of the SDZ, the development of a multi-school campus is well under way. When completed, this will comprise two 16 classroom primary schools and a 1000 pupil post primary school. The first of the primary schools is due to open in September 2007 with the second primary school opening shortly thereafter. This timing and extent of this development means that primary provision for the area is ahead of demand. Once the primary school provision is in place, the emphasis will shift to the delivery of the post primary school to further comply with the SDZ phasing arrangements.