Vol. 507 No. 4
247 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the future plans, if any, he has in the context of review of education requirements in north Kildare to meet the overall requirements at primary, secondary and third levels in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17114/99]
The actions being taken and proposed for the north Kildare area at first and second level have been outlined to the Deputy in my responses to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 379, 386 and 387 on 18 May 1999.
With regard to third level, developments are taking place on an ongoing basis. In the north Kildare area itself, the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, has benefited from a number of major initiatives including £3 million from the scientific and technological education (investment) fund for an extension to the Callan science building which will provide 300 degree places in software engineering and £4.25 million from the recently launched £75 million initiative for the third level sector. This allocation responds to the needs identified by the expert group on skills needs and is a major part of the Governments response to the demand on the education system to ensure a sufficient throughput of young people with skills necessary to meet the emerging skills needs of our economy. It will enable the university to provide 300 additional student places in high technology courses.
In addition, £7.6 million was allocated under the European Regional Development Fund-Exchequer-private sector capital programmes to provide an additional 800 student places at the Callan science building phase II.
