Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 3

Written Answers. - County Kildare Schools.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if health and safety at work regulations can be complied with at Meánscoil Iognáid Rís, Naas, County Kildare, in view of the current numbers on the rolls; the likely number of applicants in the current year; the total school-going population in the catchment area; the extent of facilities required to meet this demand at this school; when she will be in a position to make the necessary moneys available; when the facilities needed will be ready for occupation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act is a matter, in the first instance, for the school authorities.

As intake policy is essentially a matter for each post-primay school management, my Department has no specific data on the numbers who have applied for places in this particular school. The total post-primary school-going population in Naas is 1,861 pupils, catered for in three post-primary schools. My Department's primary objective is to ensure that all schools in a catchment area have, between them, adequate provision to meet the demand for post-primary places from pupils in that particular area.

Following assessment of the overall needs of the area in question, architectural planning is proceeding to provide additional permanent accommodation at Meánscoil Iognáid Rís, mainly specialist teaching spaces, to provide for a projected long-term requirement for 600 pupil places.

This project will be considered in due course for inclusion in the 1994 capital programme in the light of objective criteria related to relevant educational, building and financial factors.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

151 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the measures, if any, she proposes to take to ensure that optimum classroom and administrative space is available to students and teachers at St. Wolstan's Holy Faith School in Celbridge, County Kildare; if her attention has been drawn to any recent progress toward this objective; if she will give details of her intentions in this regard; if she will give a reasonable timescale to meet these requirements; her views on whether modern educational standards can be met at present; and the proposals for funding or other such proposals she has to provide the necessary facilities to this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The position regarding the future provision of post-primary facilities in Celbridge is set out in my replies to Parliamentary Questions No. 520 of 10 February 1993 and No. 226 of 11 March 1993 put down by Deputy Durkan.

A decision regarding the number of pupil places to be provided will be taken when a review of the primary and post-primary school enrolments in the area, demographic trends, etc., currently underway in my Department, is completed. When this decision is taken the question of a location for the building and the commencement of the planning process will be addressed.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

152 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if, following her recent visit to Maynooth post-primary school, County Kildare, she will meet the accommodation or other requirements as set out by the school authorities; the extent to which she can meet this need by the start of the next school year; if the necessary funds are now available to meet these requirements; when expenditure is likely to be authorised; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

My Department recently wrote to County Kildare vocational education committee with proposals for the provision of additional permanent accommodation at this school. The committee's response to this proposal is awaited and when it is received the matter will be considered further.