Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if contact has been made with the local authority or other relevant Department toward the alleviation of the serious traffic congestion in the town of Celbridge, County Kildare, in the context of replacement facilities for a school (details supplied) given that resolution for same was made a prelude to the provision of new schools or extension to existing schools in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43637/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, a new site will be required for a school campus development, in order to cater for the permanent needs of St. Patrick’s National School, Celbridge Community College and St. Raphael’s Special School. The Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site, located at Donaghcumper.

I can confirm that agreement in principle has been reached with a landowner for the acquisition of the site and that ongoing work is progressing in respect of technical matters crucial to the delivery of the acquisition. These matters are being addressed at a technical and proceedural level - as a priority. As part of our appraisal, traffic management analysis is indeed being examined and we are continuing to actively engage regularly with both Kildare Co. Co. and the Landowner on all aspects of the future operation of the proposed site.

Unfortunately, due to the very specific commercially sensitive nature of this site acquisition - I am unable to elaborate further but please rest assured that this project is considered a priority and is being given our full attention.