Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if it is his policy where possible to keep all schools in the one school campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37605/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The development of multi-school campus arrangements is a stated policy of my Department where conditions are such that this can be achieved. A number of factors have to be taken into account before such arrangements could proceed such as overall accommodation requirements in a centre or area, availability and size of site, value for money, planning permission etc. It is expected that these arrangements will be a feature of the educational landscape into the future with a more significant range of school types on one site. However, sites can only be developed to the limit of their potential.

It is intended, however, that while individual schools will be arranged so that certain facilities can be shared to avoid duplication, schools will otherwise be structured to enable them to operate independently of one another to protect the individual ethos of each school.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department has funded the development of five schools on the Navan Road, Kells, County Meath and the latest funding is ongoing for the new Protestant school and the girls primary school extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37606/08]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Meath County Council runs the Kells swimming pool, which is 300 meters from the new available site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37607/08]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether it makes sense to provide all the schools on the one campus on the Navan Road, Kells, County Meath in order to avoid new traffic congestion in the town by having schools located both sides of the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37609/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 239, 240 and 242 together.

My Department has had ongoing communications with Meath County Council to discuss a range of issues relating to the proposed school development. As the Deputy is aware, my Department acquired a site for a post-primary school under the Redress Scheme. The technical report in relation to this site deemed the size and location of the site generally suitable for a Post Primary School of 700 pupils. My Department is of the view that the optimal solution is to use the site under the Department's current ownership for the proposed new post-primary school and asked Meath County Council to consider rezoning accordingly. A response from Meath County Council is awaited.