Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the status of a school project (details supplied); to meet the board of management to finalise plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9620/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has a major building project included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme, due to go to construction in 2018.

As the Deputy is aware, the school concerned submitted a proposal through its Patron to relocate the school within the Portlaoise area to meet its long term accommodation needs. In that regard, my Department has undertaken a technical site visit to examine the proposed alternative location. In addition, my Department has met with the NCSE (National Council for Special Education) to discuss the future demand for special school places in the Portlaoise area.

My Department is currently formulating the Schedule of Accommodation and the Brief for the project, which will take into account the options available to the school. My Department is in ongoing contact with the school in this matter. When this work is finalised, my Department will be in further contact with the school authority.