Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon has today (Friday) confirmed that Defence Minister Paul Kehoe will consider proposals for redevelopment of the three schools on the Curragh. Deputy Heydon was speaking following a parliamentary reply from the Minister in the Dail yesterday.
“While the provision of new schools and improved educational facilities is primarily a matter for the Minister for Education, the sites of the existing schools come under the Department of Defence. In addition, the Department of Defence would need to provide a site for a new school campus on the Curragh.
“The Minister went on to say that as well as enabling the provision of new schools such a proposal would result in the existing schools being removed from the Camp which would assist with the ongoing refurbishment and modernisation of the Camp facilities.
“The Minister for Defence has scheduled a meeting to discuss the project with myself and my Kildare South Oireachtas colleagues on Wednesday next. I intend to use this opportunity to outline my vision for this project to him and confirm a roadmap of the steps that need to be taken to bring it to reality.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor – Copy of Parliamentary Question
QUESTION NO: 51
To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if consideration will be given by his department for the provision of a site for a new school campus for the existing three Curragh schools that presently operate in sub standard accommodation; if his officials will engage with the Department of Education and Skills on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
DEPUTY MARTIN HEYDON.
FOR ORAL ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY 15 TH FEBRUARY, 2017.
REPLY
There are currently three schools operating within the Curragh Camp.
The Post Primary School, the Curragh Boys National School and the Curragh Girls School.
While the provision of schools is a matter for the Department of Education and Skills in the first instance I will of course consider any proposals regarding the development of schools on Department lands which are no longer required for military use. As well as enabling the provision of new schools such a proposal would result in the existing schools being removed from the Camp which would assist with the ongoing refurbishment and modernisation of the Camp facilities.
MINISTER OF STATE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE (PAUL KEHOE, T.D.)