John Gormley

Dublin City Council has decided to grant permission for the proposed development at the corner of Upper Leeson Street and Appian Way. As you may know, I joined residents in objecting to this development, on the grounds of its negative impact on the character of the area, traffic and road safety, and the loss of mature trees and green space.

There are a number of conditions attached to this decision, including a requirement to remove two floors of the proposed building, and you can download a copy of the full decision from the link below:

DCC decision on planning application at Leeson Street and Appian Way (TIFF format)

249. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will sanction the new secondary school building for Muckross Park College in Donnybrook, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2486/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey): The large-scale building project for Muckross Park College, Donnybrook, Dublin is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme, which is published on my Department’s website at www.education.ie. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, namely, pre-tender stage. It has been assigned a band 2 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.
The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing in this year’s programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.

287. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to allow the Dominican College, Muckross Park, Donnybrook, to replace its present building with a new building; his views on whether this non-fee paying school cannot meet the needs of the current curriculum with the present building; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the school also has difficulty in satisfying fire safety requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18500/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey): The 2003 capital programme has been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department’s website at www.education.ie. The building project at Muckross Park College is listed under Section 6 of the capital programme and is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - pre-tender stage. The timing as to when this project can progress to tender and construction is dependant on the funding allocation in 2004 and subsequent years.
With regard to fire safety requirements, in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, it is the responsibility of school management authorities to have a safety statement in
place in their schools. Schools are obliged to identify possible hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate safeguards in place. Individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.