Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 14: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 491 of 23 June 2009, when the City and County Manager Association was asked for a response to the terms of the draft memorandum; the actions he has taken to accelerate the ratification of the memorandum, in view of the urgency of the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26684/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A Code of Practice in relation to "The Provision of Schools and the Planning System", which was published in July 2008 sets out the best practice approaches that should be followed by planning authorities and by my Department in ensuring that the planning system plays its full part in facilitating the timely and cost-effective provision of school facilities.

This Code of Practice, which was published as a statutory planning guideline, sets out the fundamental principles or agreed actions that will foster greater partnership between the planning authorities and my Department.

These principles include: 1. Forecasting Future Education Demand, 2. Planning for New Schools through Local Authority Development Plans, 3. Planning Considerations relating to the location of schools, 4. Site Development Standards, 5. School Development Proposals and the Development Management Process, 6. School Site Identification and Acquisition.

My Department has met with a representative sub-group of the City and County Managers' Association on three separate occasions, in December 2008 and in January and March of this year. At these meetings, draft versions of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the acquisition of sites for school planning purposes were discussed.

At the last meeting on 5 March 2009 with the City and County Managers' Association sub-group, it was concluded that the draft was advanced enough to allow for consideration and agreement by the City and County Managers' Association.

My Department is awaiting the agreement of the City and County Managers' Association following which, my Department will report to me.

I am satisfied that, taking into account the period of time since the publication of the Code of Practice, significant progress on developing greater levels of integration between my Department and the local government sector has been achieved. Following final agreement on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, I expect to see this partnership approach develop further in the coming year.