Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school in an area (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2434/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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On 17th November 2015, following the latest demographic exercises to identify where the pressure for school places nationwide will arise, I announced the establishment of 4 new primary schools and 9 new post-primary schools to open in 2017 and 2018, including a new post-primary school which will open in 2017 to serve the Portlaoise area.

As the Deputy may be aware, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Education and Skills and the County and City Managers' Association (CCMA) in relation to the acquisition of sites has been in place since 2012. This MOU fosters increased levels of cooperation and formalises the Local Authorities' part in identifying and securing sites for educational use. A copy of this MoU, which sets out the respective roles of the local authority and the Department, is available on my Department's website.

Officials in my Department are working with officials from Laois County Council under the MOU in relation to the acquisition process for a suitable permanent site for the new post-primary school. I can confirm that officials from my Department have been in contact with the relevant senior officials in Laois County Council with regard to the school site in question and matters are being progressed.