Vol. 482 No. 2
107 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the initiatives, if any, he will take to resolve the problem of accommodation needs at St. Mary's College, Naas, County Kildare in the 1998 Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17499/97]
The school authorities have recently been given approval by my Department to proceed to stage 4 of architectural planning (detailed design). When stage 4 has been submitted and approved by my Department's technical staff, the bill of quantities will be prepared, after which, the project will be ready to go to tender.
At this point, it is not possible to say when construction will commence.
108 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to replace the current St. Wolstan's second level school, Celbridge, County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding and the likely effect of the general poor standard of accommodation on the students and teachers; if his attention has further been drawn to the deep concern expressed by parents at the continued delay in resolving the issue; the measures, if any, he will take to facilitate the earliest possible provision of alternative accommodation; when this will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17500/97]
Stage 2 of the architectural planning for the new school has recently been completed and approved by my Department and the design team is now preparing the next stage, which is detailed design. The consultant architects have also been instructed to apply to Kildare County Council for planning permission and a meeting with county council officials to expedite the process took place on 16 October 1997.
My Department will ensure that every effort is made, in co-operation with the design team, to advance the project to the point where tenders can be obtained in the shortest possible time.
In relation to the existing accommodation, my Department has recently grant-aided improvements to the building and the replacement of prefabricated accommodation at St. Wolstan's. When the new school has been completed, the prefabs will be removed for use at another location.
109 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the consideration, if any, which has been given to the provision of a new primary school in Naas, County Kildare, in view of the fact that the two primary schools in the area, Ballycane and Convent, had to impose an age cut-off for the intake of the current year in view of the demand for junior places exceeding the places available; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that projections show the number of junior classes will increase from 7.5 in 1997-98 to 14 by the school year 2005-06; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17502/97]
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Questions Nos. 543, 603 and 607 on 30 September 1997, the planning section of my Department is carrying out a major review to determine the future school accommodation needs, at both primary and post-primary level, of Naas and its environs. In the context of the review, arrangements have been made for officials from my Department to meet with representatives of the existing primary schools in the near future.
When this review is completed and available to me, I will be in a position to take a decision in the matter.
