Christy O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of green field sites the Office of Public Works identified in Skibbereen for a new community school; and the problems associated with them that deemed each unsuitable. [31167/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Commissioners of Public Works act as agents for the Department of Education and Science for the acquisitions of sites for schools.

In the case of Skibbereen a total of twelve sites were examined and assessed. One site was withdrawn by the Vendors. One site was regarded as suitable by the Local Authority but would require very extensive pre-construction works. The remainder were regarded as unsuitable by the Local Authority for various reasons.

It would seem that the solution to the problem in this case is for the Local Authority to make a variation to its existing Local Area Plan identifying/zoning land for Educational use or to zone such land in the next Development Plan whichever is soonest.