Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

397. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans for a post-primary school in Newcastle, County Dublin. [11014/21]

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

The Government announced plans in April 2018 for the establishment of 42 new schools over the four year period 2019 to 2022, including a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Citywest/Saggart (Tallaght & Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning areas) as a regional solution.

This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.

The building project will deliver a 1,000 pupil post-primary school and a 16-classroom primary school on a State-owned campus site on Fortunestown Lane in Citywest.

The planning application for the building project is currently the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála. The anticipated date for receipt of a decision is mid-April 2021. It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

The school is currently located in suitable interim accommodation on the permanent site pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.