Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department's land at Ashbourne, County Meath, is for sale in view of the fact that it is needed for public education and has also been the subject of discussions with Meath County Council for use as a public park. [23184/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Planning, Housing, Community and Local Government established a Housing Delivery Office to focus on land and site supply aspects of “Rebuilding Ireland”. As part of that exercise the Department of Education and Skills was asked to identify lands which could potentially be used for housing.

A site in Ashbourne, currently in the ownership of the Minister was considered in the context of housing delivery potential.

Based on Ashbourne’s status as a moderate sustainable growth town, the Department will be considering a portion of this site for future educational needs. The area of land to be reserved for educational purposes in the event that schools are required is currently being determined and likely future educational requirements are being considered as part of this process.  

Officials from my Department are involved in discussions with officials from Meath County Council in relation to the future development of the site and plans for the Ashbourne area, and this is ongoing at present.