Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

352. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a permanent site for a school (details supplied). [28092/21]

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

I can confirm that my Department is at an advanced stage of negotiations with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council regarding the acquisition of a site in their ownership. This site is well located to serve the Booterstown Blackrock School Planning Area and is intended to be the permanent location for the school referred to by the Deputy. Any acquisition will be subject to contract and the statutory approval of the Council to dispose of the site to my Department.

The School Patron has been informed of this development and will be advised of the location of the site when it is possible to do so.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will engage with the staff and parents of a school (details supplied) in relation to a suitable site for same. [28093/21]

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

The school to which the Deputy refers was established in September 2019 and is currently located in interim accommodation at Kill Lane, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin, which can accommodate 2 x mainstream classrooms plus ancillary space. It should be noted that the school authorities were informed before occupying Kill Lane that it would be for a two year period only; they were aware that a move to alternative interim accommodation would be required for the 2021 academic year to cater for the schools growing enrolments.

There is insufficient accommodation in the existing building to cater for the 2021 academic year. As a result, officials in my Department have put the necessary arrangements in place to relocate the school to a premises at Eblana Avenue in Dún Laoghaire, which is under the ownership of Dublin Dún Laoghaire Education Training Board (DDLETB). This alternative interim accommodation will suitably accommodate the schools growing enrolments for the academic years 2021 and 2022 pending provision of their permanent school project. My Department issued both verbal and written communication on Wednesday 28th April 2021, informing the Patron of these arrangements and my officials understand that the school was in turn informed of this communication the same day.