Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the short, medium and long-term accommodation plan for a new school (details supplied) in County Cork; the timeline for the future provision of accommodation including the permanent school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30612/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A planning application for the school to which the Deputy refers was lodged with Cork County Council on 20 December 2018 and this was refused on 22 February 2019 primarily due to issues around traffic. That decision was upheld by An Bord Pleanála on 24 June 2019. 

My Department can confirm that the school will open in suitable interim accommodation in a building in Coláiste Stiofan Naofa, Tramore Road, Cork City.  The Patron body Educate Together have been advised of this and they in turn have advised the parents of pupils enrolled.  

A building project for the new primary school is included in my Department’s current 6 year construction programme.

Officials from my Department are working to identify and procure a suitable site for the school.  A number of potential site options have been identified and these are currently under consideration.

While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

In the interim my Department will provide suitable interim accommodation arrangements for the school.