Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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347. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31208/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The acquisition of the permanent site for the school in question, (known locally as the “Glass Bottle” site) on the Goatstown Road, was completed by my Department in June 2019.

The site will provide for a campus development of 1000 pupil Post Primary School with 4 class Special Education Needs Unit and 16 Classroom Primary School with a 2 class SENU.

The primary school, the subject of the question, opened in 2019 in interim accommodation.

The Post primary school which is part of the campus development opened in interim accommodation this year.

With regard to plans for interim accommodation for the Post primary secondary school on the permanent site, my Department’s planning permission application to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Co. was lodged on 2nd April, 2020. A request for further information (RFI) was received from the local authority in relation to the planning application, and the response to this RFI is currently being completed for submission.

The permanent building project for both schools is currently at early architectural planning stage. The next key milestone in the progression of the permanent project will be the submission of the planning application to the Local Authority. The planning application for permanent accommodation will proceed after a decision is provided on the planning application for interim accommodation.

In advance of the submission of the planning application, the school in question will be invited to review the plans. Once all statutory approvals have been secured, the project will then proceed to tender and construction stages.

My Department will continue to keep the patron body and the school community updated as the project progresses.