John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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201. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the progression of a school building project for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38885/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department is presently finalising the acquisition of 0.43 acres of land adjacent to the school in question's playing field. Additionally, I can also confirm that agreement has been reached in principle between officials from South Dublin County Council and my Department on the acquisition of an additional portion of land totalling 0.96 acres which also adjoins the playing field.

These acquisitions will serve to enhance the facilities currently available to the school while also supporting any potential options for the future development of the school going forward.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on a project (details supplied); if a site has been identified for this project; if the new school will be built and open by 2020; if not, if he is planning interim arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38886/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the opening of 42 new schools over the next four years. This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the current and future need for primary and post-primary school places across the country, and included provision for the school to which he refers.

Following on from the announcement, the locations for all of the schools are being determined as part of the site acquisition process.

In line with the policy on the use of State assets (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars 11/15 and 17/16), my Department is, in the first instance, seeking to maximise the use of sites already in my ownership and of available properties in the ownership of other State bodies, where these are considered suitable.

In addition, as part of my Department's ongoing engagement with Local Authorities in respect of statutory planning processes and under the Memorandum of Understanding on school site acquisitions, my Department is considering other potentially suitable site options, including appropriately zoned sites, to serve the relevant areas.

Taking into account all of the above, decisions will then be made as part of the site acquisition process in relation to appropriate sites for all the schools announced, including the school in question, and their locations will be confirmed as soon as possible.

The current focus for the Department is to prioritise the 17 schools opening in 2019 so that patrons can be appointed and accommodation solutions put in place as soon as possible. The announcement in April 2018 provides a better lead in period for planning and delivering accommodation solutions for the schools that are due to be established from September 2020 onwards.

The Department’s Design and Build Programme will be the main delivery mechanism for providing permanent accommodation for the 42 new schools.