Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for a school (details supplied). [30423/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm a potential permanent site option has been identified and discussions are ongoing with the landowner with a view to acquiring this site.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the site acquisition process can be lengthy and there can be complex issues which need to be addressed during negotiations, technical assessments or conveyancing. At all times the Department strives to obtain best value for the Exchequer.

My Department is committed to delivering a site for the new post primary school for the Greystones and Kilcoole area of County Wicklow and work is ongoing to achieve this as soon as possible.

The school to which the Deputy refers was established in September 2020 and opened in interim accommodation in the Greystones Lawn Tennis Club.

A license agreement is in place for this interim accommodation until the end of December 2020.

My Department has agreed to look at all potential options in the area in the short and medium term ahead of the schools move to its permanent site. This will include the provision of appropriate interim accommodation, including specialist rooms, as quickly as possible as the current school year progresses.

My department will continue to work closely with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and the school to ensure that the needs of the school community continue to be met.