Vol. 492 No. 5
140 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the large increase in primary school pupils in Celbridge, County Kildare; the plans, if any, he has to provide the necessary additional accommodation; if this will be in place by the beginning of the 1998-99 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14583/98]
I am aware of the major housing developments taking place or planned for the Celbridge area. An official from my Department recently visited the schools in the area to assess the school accommodation and enrolment situation.
The position for next September is that there is no significant increase in the overall number of pupils requiring places as compared with previous years. A difficulty has arisen, however, in that a far higher number of boys than girls are seeking places and this imbalance is placing a heavy demand on the schools catering for boys.
The short and longer-term accommodation requirements for the centre are being assessed at present and my Department will be in contact with the school managements as soon as possible.
