Vol. 548 No. 2
440 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Science the review being carried out by his Department regarding the need for second level places in the Ballyfin-Mountrath area arising from the announcements regarding second level schools in the Portlaoise area. [4505/02]
For the purpose of second level education, Ballyfin is included in the Portlaoise catchment area. Mountrath is an adjoining but separate second level education centre. In view of the impending amalgamation of the Patrician College and Portlaoise vocational school, it is anticipated that there may be increased pressure on places in the second level schools in Mountrath. In the circumstances, a review of the capacity of these schools to meet the expected increase is being undertaken by the planning section of my Department. The views of the existing second level school providers in the area will be sought as part of this review.
