Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that his preferred option is for the development of a new school on a green field site in replacement of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20613/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy initially applied for an extension and refurbishment project. This application was assessed and was assigned a band two rating under the band rating system operated by my Department. The long-term projected enrolment for the school was originally assessed at 500 and a schedule of accommodation was drawn up and agreed on this basis. However, the current enrolment is 441. This figure represents a 5% decline on the enrolment of 466 in 2003. In light of the trend in enrolments in the school in the past five years, the application is being reassessed to review the optimum solution to the school's needs.

I am aware that the trustees of the school have entered into negotiations with a local landowner regarding the possible purchase of a site for use by the school. The school has been in contact with my Department seeking a written commitment that its preferred option for the school is a new second level school on a greenfield site. However, as the Deputy will understand, it would not be prudent for my Department to give any such open-ended commitment which would, in effect, limit the Department's scope for manoeuvre in the future regarding the optimum solution for secondary school services in east Clare. My Department will continue to assess the needs of St. Joseph's and the east Clare region generally and progress on any building projects will be considered in the context of the resources available under the multi-annual building programme.

The final decision on the most appropriate solution to the accommodation needs of the area will include consideration of the possibility of building a new school on any suitable sites that are available in the area. However, this option will only be implemented if it results in the optimum solution for the school and the area and provides value for money for the taxpayer.