Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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619. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on works to allow schools (details supplied) in Ballyfermot to be in a single campus, given the current disjointed school set-up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18293/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, St Seton's Secondary School, Le Fanu Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 is an amalgamation of three secondary schools with DEIS status, Caritas College, St John's College De La Salle and St Dominic's College. This new large co-educational school is designed to cater for up to 800 pupils.

My Department approved substantial capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation project for the construction of the required additional capacity at the Le Fanu Road site. This additional accommodation encompasses provision for 6 additional mainstream classrooms, science, home economics, textiles, art, music, DCG, technology rooms, and staff room in addition to 4 classrooms for children with special educational needs.

My officials continue to engage with the school’s patrons regarding the accommodation needs of the school, including in respect of the existing accommodation at the former St. John’s College building.

At the request of the patrons, my Department agreed to the amalgamation taking effect from September 2022. Following subsequent engagement and again at the request of the school patrons, my Department has agreed to extend the timeline for opening St Seton’s Secondary School to September 2023.