Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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211. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the building of the new school in southern areas of Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39496/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, a new primary school for South Swords was included in the 42 new schools I recently announced.

A site identification process in respect of this new school is currently underway. 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 will be 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 MoU on school site acquisitions, my Department is examining all potential suitable site options, including appropriately zoned sites, to serve the relevant area.

A decision regarding the permanent location of the school in South Swords will be made at the earliest possible date.

The school will open in September 2019 in interim accommodation, pending the delivery of its permanent school building.