Vol. 482 No. 6
428 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science whether the current review of educational requirements in the Naas area of County Kildare will be completed in time to enable school authorities, such as St. Mary's College, to take the necessary action to meet demands for the 1998-99 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18481/97]
My Department's review of the accommodation needs in the Naas area, both at primary and postprimary level, is now at an advanced stage. The purpose of the review is to identify the appropriate measures to deal with the immediate and longer term accommodation needs of the centre. In this context, a meeting was held recently with representatives of the primary school managements and a further meeting will be held next month.
With particular regard to St. Mary's College, the school authorities have recently been given approval by my Department to instruct their design team to proceed to stage 4 of architectural planning, that is, detailed design stage. I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to advance this project as quickly as possible.
The indications are that there are sufficient pupil places available, between the three postprimary schools in Naas, to accommodate all pupils seeking places for next September.
