Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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424. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the current difficulties being experienced by the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in securing alternative accommodation for its school; that a representative from her Department told the school that it must submit a proposal in writing for an alternative site, despite the board of management having done so already; her plans to address this matter; if her Department will meet with representatives from the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19411/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department remains committed to providing permanent accommodation for the school to which he refers. The Deputy is aware that it is intended that the school will relocate to a premises currently occupied by a special school pending the construction of a new school for the latter. The major building project for the special school is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

The Design Team are currently preparing the Stage 2(b) Detailed Design documentation for submission to the Department for review and approval. Assuming no issues arise in the review of the Stage 2(b) submission, the project will then be authorised to proceed to tender.

The proposal submitted by the school suggested earlier access to the proposed permanent accommodation than is possible in the context of the estimated timeframe for the completion of the building project for the special school and is therefore not feasible.

My Department considers that a meeting with the school would not be beneficial at this time. However, it is open to the school to submit an application for additional temporary accommodation, should this be required, pending the availability of its long term accommodation.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The school referred to by the Deputy has been in contact with my Department regarding the issue of temporary accommodation to provide for the decanting of the school during the construction stage of the school building project.

My Department does not source interim accommodation for decant purposes. This is normally a matter for the school authority to deal with in conjunction with its Design Team. A school is best placed in its community and locality to make the necessary arrangements where a decant is required. My Department will, where required, provide advice and support to a school, including funding the cost of such temporary accommodation for decant purposes to facilitate the progression of a school building project. It is, however, the school authority itself which must make the necessary arrangements.