Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1653: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will acquire the designated primary school site at Hollywoodrath, Dublin 15 as the site for the proposed Tyrrelstown Gaelscoil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29591/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that Fingal County Council has reserved a site, in the region of 5 acres, for educational provision in the Hollywoodrath Local Area Plan. In general, the Department considers site acquisition in accordance as needs arise, taking into account the availability of capital resource and in the overall context of the Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

The Department was made aware of proposals to establish a new Gaelscoil to serve Tyrrellstown/Hollystown in August 2008. A formal 'Notification of Intent' to establish this new school was received from the proposed Patron, An Foras Patrunachta in September 2008.

However, as the Deputy will be aware, I announced a review of the procedures for recognising primary schools on 14th September last. I also announced that for the interim period it is not planned to recognise any new primary schools except those in developing areas where there is a clear need demonstrated for such schools. The application to establish a new Gaelscoil to serve Tyrellstown/Hollystown will be considered in this context.