Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Placement.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

237 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the overall assessment of needs in respect of second level school places in Naas, County Kildare, has been completed; the proposals, if any, he has to meet current and projected requirements having particular regard to the number of children attending primary school; the overall strategy, if any, arising from this assessment; the proposals, if any, he has to meet requirements in the short, medium and long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25642/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

As I informed the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Questions No. 219 on 4 June 1998 and Nos. 898, 899 and 900 of 30 September 1998, my Department carried out an assessment of primary and post-primary accommodation needs in Naas during 1998.

At primary level, temporary accommodation has been provided at existing schools in the Naas area to cater for immediate requirements. Architectural planning for a new 16 classroom school is under way and it is expected that, when this building becomes available, there will be sufficient accommodation available in the town to meet medium to long-term requirements.

At second level, building projects are well under way in all three schools in Naas. It is envisaged that the accommodation thus provided will enable the schools to meet the immediate and long-term requirements of the area. I might add that the proposed extension at one of these schools has been revised to include 100 additional places. This will enable the school in question to cater for 900 pupils in the long term.

My Department will continue to monitor developments in Naas to ensure that any emerging additional demands are promptly addressed.