asked the Minister for Education if a decision has been taken in relation to the suitability of Scoil Diarmada national school, Castledermot, County Kildare; if so, by whom approval of the site was granted, whether by the Office of Public Works or by her Department; if the site is suitable and if the Office of Public Works objected to the planning application which was lodged subsequently; if she is satisfied that the site is adequate and acceptable; if an evaluation has been undertaken as to the school place requirements in the area; if these requirements can be met by way of the proposed extension on the existing site; and her plans for the provision of adequate facilities for national school children in Castledermot in the near future.
Written Answers - Castledermot (Kildare) National School.
45.
The position generally with regard to the proposed extension to Scoil Diarmada national school, Castledermot, County Kildare, is that, in response to an application for grant-aid to extend the school, my Department have indicated that grant assistance would be made available for an extension which would bring the overall accommodation up to nine classrooms and a general purposes area. Some ancillary accommodation is also to be grant-aided. The school authorities have been provided with a sketch plan which was prepared by the Office of Public Works in consultation with my Department's inspectorate. This plan is regarded by my Department as educationally and architecturally acceptable, and as adequate to cater for the future educational needs of the area, the usual review of enrolment trends having taken place.
The Department would have wished that a larger site had been available. The school authorities have been made aware of this reservation, but have accepted the limitation in the interests of progress with the project.
My Department are also aware of the refusal of the local authority to grant planning permission to the school authorities, who have been advised to appeal the decision. It is considered that it would not be proper to comment further on this issue pending the outcome of the appeal.