Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 436: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reply to a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21535/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The school to which the Deputy refers to is currently in temporary accommodation on a split campus basis. The accommodation provided by the VEC, which was funded by the Department includes general classrooms, science laboratories and preparation area, home economics, arts and craft room and construction studies area and ancillary accommodation. At the commencement of this school year in September 2009, the school enrolment was 176 pupils; projected enrolment for the coming school year is 310 pupils.

The Department purchased approximately 20 acres of lands in Laytown for an educational campus, consisting of a primary and a post-primary school. My Department have already indicated to Meath VEC its intention to lease the relevant portion of the land holding to the VEC in respect of the post primary school, Coláiste na hInse. Provision of the permanent post-primary school is subject to receipt of the necessary statutory approvals and the process is currently at tender stage (on a design and build basis). Since the project is at tender stage at present, it is not possible to give costs due to commercial sensitivities. When the contract is awarded, the planning application will be lodged shortly thereafter.