Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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479. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm ownership of a site (details supplied) in County Cork; her plans for the immediate use of this site; and if there are no such plans if her Department will consider permitting usage of the site by a local voluntary group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43278/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the site referred to is in my ownership.

In that regard, due to the need to retain this land for future educational provision, I regret that it is not possible to consent to the use of these lands for alternative purposes as proposed by the Deputy.

Demographic analysis by my Department confirms that there is significant projected additional demand for primary school places in the area concerned. Officials in my Department are currently examining how best to meet this additional demand and it would be important therefore to retain any lands in the area that are currently in my ownership to be in a position to provide any necessary primary school accommodation.

As you will appreciate, while my Department encourages schools to facilitate local groups to benefit from educational facilities where possible, priority must be given to educational provision to ensure that the Department can cater for current and projected increased enrolments into the future.