Vol. 566 No. 4
197 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of a permanent site and facilities thereon for Scoil Nás na Ríogh, Naas, County Kildare; the full extent of discussions his Department has had with the school authorities with a view to bringing the project to a satisfactory conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13188/03]
The position is that Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh, Naas, County Kildare was granted provisional recognition effective from September 2002. The school authorities were advised at that time the question of permanent recognition would be considered when the Department was satisfied that long-term viability had been demonstrated and that the school was operating in accordance with the rules for national schools.
Until such time as permanent recognition is granted to the school, my Department will not consider purchasing a site to permanently accommodate the school. If and when permanent recognition is granted, budgetary factors will then determine the rate of progress on the acquisition of a site and on the delivery of permanent accommodation for the school.
198 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if land owned by DCC will be made available to St. Brigid's national school, The Coombe, for a long-promised school development for this school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the existing school building is totally inadequate; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are no playground facilities for the children. [13189/03]
Section 9 of the 2003 school building programme as published on my Department's website at www.education.ie sets out the funding allocated for the purchase of sites for primary and post-primary schools.
