Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a new patron for the new primary school planned for Dún Laoghaire to open in September 2017 will be announced; the school planning area it is designated for; the engagement his Department has had with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on the issue; if his Department has a specific site identified for the new school; if temporary accommodation will be required in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18629/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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On 28 November, 2016 applications were invited for the patronage of four new primary schools to be established in 2017 and 2018, including the school to serve the Dún Laoghaire school planning area.  A total of 14 applications for patronage of the four new schools were received and are currently being assessed by my Department. 

The assessment process is detailed and rigorous. The final assessment reports will be forwarded for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG), which will submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. 

It is expected that the assessment process will be completed and that a determination in relation to the patronage of the new schools will be made in the coming weeks.  The assessment reports and the recommendations of the NSEG will be available on the Department's website following the announcement.  

Officials in my Department are working closely with officials from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable permanent location for the school.

The building project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 year construction programme that was announced last November.  The school will open in September 2017 in suitable interim accommodation.