Provision of a new site for Hedgestown National School, Balbriggan

​QUESTION NO:  326

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 26/07/2017  

 
 To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new site for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) Hedgestown National School, Balbriggan
  
REPLY.


The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.

My Department issued comments to the Board of Management on 7th February and had requested confirmation from the Board that a lease for the new school site has been finalized between the Patron body and the land owner. The Department has been in contact with the school again recently and has been informed that the site is being purchased by the parish from the land owner. The purchase is ongoing, however, a definite date could not be given as to when the contracts will be signed and purchase completed. 

Confirmation that the purchase has been completed will be required before stage 2(b) can be fully approved. Upon receipt of this confirmation my Department will then revert to the Board of Management with regard to further progression of the project.