Vol. 541 No. 4
523 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny is placed on a priority list; and if this project will proceed without undue delay. [23264/01]
Architectural planning for the work at the school referred to by the Deputy is under way at present. It is not possible at this point to say when construction will commence. The school authorities will be informed of developments.
524 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of permanent classrooms for the north Kildare school project at Celbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23265/01]
Tenders have been invited for the work at the school referred to by the Deputy. When these have been received and assessed, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities.
525 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of extra and alternative facilities at St. Patrick's post-primary school, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23266/01]
The need to extend and refurbish St. Patrick's post-primary school, Naas, has been agreed in principle with the school's management authority, County Kildare Vocational Educational Committee. Further information is at present awaited from County Kildare VEC before this project can be progressed.
526 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which his Department has identified the precise requirement for school places at primary and second level in Maynooth, County Kildare, in view of demographic trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23267/01]
The enrolments in primary schools in the Maynooth area have shown a very gradual increase in recent years. To meet the additional need, an extension for the Presentation Convent is currently in architectural planning. In addition, my Department's technical staff is examining sites for a new school building for Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich.
With regard to the provision of additional post-primary places, an extension for Maynooth post-primary school is currently at architectural planning stage. It is envisaged that when these projects are completed there will be sufficient accommodation to meet future needs at both primary and post-primary level in the Maynooth area. The position will be kept under review by the planning section of my Department in the light of enrolment and demographic trends in the area.
527 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which he has made a final decision regarding the provision of required primary and secondary school places in the Naas, Kill and Sallins areas of County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23268/01]
The areas of County Kildare referred to by the Deputy have been the subject of regular review by my Department in recent years, in view of the general growth in population in the north of the county. At primary level, the position is that, in Naas, a new 16 teacher school is currently in architectural planning. The original brief for this project is being reviewed in light of additional housing developments in the area and consequential increased demand for primary school places.
528 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress regarding the provision of permanent classroom facilities at Scoil Uí Fhíach, Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23269/01]
My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a permanent building project at the school in question. The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the schools building programme at all levels.
There are currently over 850 major school building projects at various stages of planning. Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of these projects, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be taken in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes in 2002 and subsequent years. As an interim measure, a four classroom school in temporary accommodation has been provided.
529 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date regarding the provision of permanent classroom facilities at Scoil Uí Dálaigh, Kilcock, County Kildare; the extent of such progress during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23270/01]
I understand that Deputy is referring to Gaelscoil Cill Choca, Kilcock, County Kildare. My Department has received an application for grant aid towards the cost of a building project at Gaelscoil Cill Choca. The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the schools building programme at all levels.
There are currently over 850 major school building projects at various stages of planning. Decisions relating to the rate of progress to construction of these projects, including Gaelscoil Cill Choca, will be taken in the light of the allocations to be made for school building purposes.
530 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied regarding the availability of primary and secondary school places in Celbridge, County Kildare; his plans for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23271/01]
At primary level, with the exception of the north Kildare school project, enrolments in Celbridge have been in gradual decline in recent years. However, there are three projects in architectural planning for primary schools in the Celbridge area. One of these projects, which is currently at tender stage, is to provide a new building for the north Kildare school project.
The other two projects are at advanced stages of architectural planning. They involve the replacement of temporary classrooms with permanent accommodation and improving the level of ancillary accommodation at Scoil Mochua and Scoil na Mainistreach. It is envisaged that, following the completion of these building projects, there will be sufficient primary school accommodation to meet current and anticipated demand.
At post-primary level, a new school building was provided for St. Wolstan's community school in 1999. In addition, an application for additional accommodation has been received from the Salesian College. In that regard, the planning and building unit of my Department is awaiting additional information from the school authorities in order to progress the application further.
My Department will continue to monitor school accommodation requirements in the Celbridge area and any additional needs will be addressed as expeditiously as possible.
