Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that the future proofing of a school (details supplied) is protected and assistance is given to the board of management, principal and staff in securing additional outdoor space opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6578/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that my Department has received correspondence in respect of the school referred to in regard to a proposal to enhance the school's facilities.

The proposal, which includes an application for addition accommodation together with a request to extend the school site, is being considered and my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities in the matter as soon as possible.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if suitable permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied) will be provided in order that it can grow to full capacity as a full stream school. [6590/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy refers opened in 2014 under the Patronage Divesting process and is located in temporary accommodation.  A former school building was acquired under the Redress process for the purpose of permanently housing this school and my Department is preparing for the necessary refurbishment works to be undertaken to the property in this regard.

The establishment of the school as a half stream school (4 classrooms) has its origins in the Report on the pilot surveys regarding parental preferences on primary school patronage, which was published on the Department's website in December 2012, and is also cognisant of the available accommodation.  This has been reflected in the Department’s engagement with the school patron, Educate Together, and was reiterated in recent correspondence with the school. 

A case has been submitted by Educate Together to the Department in respect of a number of schools opened under the patronage divesting process, including the school the Deputy refers to, and this is currently under consideration.

The Department is currently carrying out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to identify areas of demographic growth and determine where additional school accommodation is needed in order to plan for school provision.  It is anticipated that these exercises will be completed in the coming weeks.  In this context, the outcome of these nationwide demographic exercises will input into consideration of the case submitted by the Educate Together in relation to the size of schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, opened under the patronage divesting process.