It is expected that the school to which the Deputy refers can accommodate approximately 600 pupils. The enrolment return from the school in September 2013 indicated that there were 572 pupils enrolled at that time. The Department does not hold information on applicant levels in schools. I can confirm that the school has not applied for additional accommodation to my Department and I understand that it has no plans to expand its current capacity at this time.
As I advised the Deputy in my response to her Parliamentary Question on 29th January last, a new post primary school will open in September 2014, Maynooth Community College, which will assist in servicing enrolment demand in North Kildare. The announcement included the provision of an Aonad in the Maynooth school. In addition, my Department has confirmed, that if sufficient demand for education through the medium of Irish in the Aonad is demonstrated over a four year cycle, consideration will be given by my Department to the establishment of an independent Gaelcholáiste.
My Department has confirmed that the Aonad has capacity to cater for the students in the Kildare area. Kildare and Wicklow ETB is currently progressing the building of a new education campus through the planning process and this will provide permanent accommodation for the school.
