Written answers

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Department of Education and Skills

School Accommodation

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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508. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin in temporary accommodation; the length of time each school has been in that accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12050/21]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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509. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin operating partially or fully out of prefabs; the length of time each school has been partially or fully in this style of accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12051/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 509 together.

There are 4 schools renting accommodation, either temporary prefabricated accommodation or an area within an existing permanent building in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. Of the schools renting permanent buildings one has been renting since 2009 and the other since 2019 and in respect of the rented prefabs one has been renting since 2015 and the other since 2018.

While it is the policy of my Department to ensure a high standard of permanent accommodation for all schools, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population over the last decade or more it is sometimes necessary to make use of temporary accommodation to meet the accommodation needs of schools.

The changing landscape in relation to enrolments means that accommodation requirements can vary between short-term, medium-term and long-term and this can impact on the type of accommodation solution put in place to address same.

My Department is taking an integrated approach with the prefab replacement through the replacement of prefabs as part of all large-scaled projects. In addition since mid-2018 all schools approved for additional accommodation under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme are also having necessary prefabs replaced as part of their additional accommodation project. This integrated approach helps to streamline the delivery of projects for schools

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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510. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12052/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department remains committed to providing permanent accommodation to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers.

As the Deputy is aware, officials in my Department have been actively engaging with officials from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council via emails, phone calls and through online meeting platforms. As a result, the acquisition of this site has progressed well in recent weeks on the two preferred site options identified.

My officials are keeping the School Patron appraised of developments.

Once my officials achieve agreement in principle on the final site, the Patron will be advised of the location without delay.

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