Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2005
468 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the present accommodation is sufficient to meet current and projected requirements in respect of all primary and post-primary schools in Celbridge, County Kildare; her plans to meet these requirements in the future; the extent to which she has evaluated the population increase to determine these requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27951/05]
View answer469 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the present accommodation is sufficient to meet current and projected requirements in respect of all primary and post-primary schools in Maynooth, County Kildare; her plans to meet these requirements in the future; the extent to which she has evaluated the population increase to determine these requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27952/05]
View answer471 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the present accommodation is sufficient to meet current and projected requirements in respect of all primary and post-primary schools in Leixlip, County Kildare; her plans to meet these requirements in the future; the extent to which she has evaluated the population increase to determine these requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27954/05]
View answer472 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the present accommodation is sufficient to meet current and projected requirements in respect of all primary and post-primary schools in Kilcock, County Kildare; her plans to meet these requirements in the future; the extent to which she has evaluated the population increase to determine these requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27955/05]
View answer484 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has satisfied herself regarding the adequacy of the accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare having regard to demographic trends and the need for adequate forward planning to ensure that the necessary steps are takin in time with a view to the elimination of the use of temporary accommodation in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27967/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 468, 469, 471, 472 and 484 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, following widespread local consultation, my Department recently published an area development plan for the N4-M4 corridor. This plan outlines my Department's long-term educational strategy at both primary and post-primary level for the Celbridge, Maynooth, Leixlip, Kilcock and Straffan areas. The recommendations in the plan are being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards subject to the prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects.
470 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the present accommodation is sufficient to meet current and projected requirements in respect of all primary and post-primary schools in Naas, County Kildare; her plans to meet these requirements in the future; the extent to which she has evaluated the population increase to determine these requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27953/05]
View answer473 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the present accommodation is sufficient to meet current and projected requirements in respect of all primary and post-primary schools in Clane, County Kildare; her plans to meet these requirements in the future; the extent to which she has evaluated the population increase to determine these requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27956/05]
View answer474 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the present accommodation is sufficient to meet current and projected requirements in respect of all primary and post-primary schools in Prosperous, County Kildare; her plans to meet these requirements in the future; the extent to which she has evaluated the population increase to determine these requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27957/05]
View answer498 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to meet all primary, second level school place requirements in the Naas, Sallins and Kill areas of County Kildare; the timescale involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27982/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 470, 473, 474 and 498 together.
I am aware that Clane, Prosperous, Sallins, Naas and Kill, like many areas located within close proximity to Dublin, continue to experience population growth, a position that almost inevitably places some strain on existing educational provision. However, a range of significant measures has been undertaken by my Department to address the current and future need for pupil places in these areas.
St. Patrick's boys national school, Clane, received €100,000, from my Department, under the permanent initiative, to facilitate increasing numbers, in 2003. At post-primary level Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane, received €148,963 under the summer works scheme to improve the integrity of its building.
A major building project is under construction at Scoil an Linbh Íosa, Prosperous, which is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2006. Also, tenders are being sought for the provision of a major extension at St. Farnan's post-primary school.
At primary level, an entire new school has been provided at Killashee while temporary accommodation has been provided at Scoil Corbain, St. Conleth's and St. Mary's national school and St. Conleth's Naofa in Naas. Temporary accommodation has also been provided at one of the two nearby national schools at Caragh. In addition approval has been given to St. Corban's and Gaelscoil Nás na Riogh in Naas, Scoil Naomh Brighde, Kill, Kilashee and Caragh national schools for additional accommodation for September 2005.
At Sallins national school, a seven classrooms extension is under construction. When completed, this extension will increase capacity from nine classrooms to 16. An extension to bring the school up to 24 classrooms will commence architectural planning this year.
A brand new state of the art 16-classroom school together with a double autistic unit is under construction in Naas town. This project, in particular, will assist in easing any difficulties for primary pupil places that may exist in Naas. Additionally, there are proposals to improve accommodation at St. David's national school and Two Mile House national school. The accommodation needs of the national schools at Ballycane, Caragh and Convent of Mercy in Naas are also being assessed.
At post-primary level, the management authority of St. Patrick's post-primary school, County Kildare VEC, is progressing plans to re-locate the school and extend capacity to 1,000 pupils. Additionally, an extension project is under construction at St. Mary's College which will increase capacity at the school to 900 pupils. A similar extension is under construction at Meanscoil Iognaid Rís and further accommodation needs at the school are in planning.
All these initiatives represent huge capital investment and demonstrate my commitment to meeting the needs of the areas concerned. The school planning section of my Department will keep the position under review to ensure that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.
