Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
227. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the growing crisis in secondary school places in County Kildare; and his plans to solve this growing problem (details supplied). [4164/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department expects the building project at St. Conleth's Community College, Newbridge to be completed and ready for occupation by September 2018. This project, when completed, will assist in meeting demographic need in the area.
In addition, I wish to advise the Deputy that major building projects at 7 post primary schools in County Kildare are included on my Department's 6 year Construction Plan as follows:
St. Paul's Secondary School - Monasterevin
Naas Community College
Cross & Passion College - Kilcullen
Athy Community College
St. Farnan's Post Primary School - Prosperous
Patrician Post Primary - Newbridge
St Mary's Girls' Post Primary - Naas
The projects, when completed, will represent a total investment in excess of €100 million by my Department.
My Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed. As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for County Kildare is being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated data.
