asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has regarding the restructuring of Scoil Íde Naofa at Kilmeade, Athy, County Kildare.
84.
Written Answers. - Athy (Kildare) School.
23.
asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the condition of Social Íde Naofa, Kilmeade, Athy, County Kildare; and the report of the director of community care with regard to the condition of the school and its facilities; whether she, in the circumstances, will carry out the necessary improvements to the facilities, and extension; whether such improvements will be carried out in the near future; and the stages still remaining in the planning process before work on the project can commence.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 84 together. My Department is agreeable in principle to grant-aid an extension to the national school Scoil Íde Naofa, Kilmeade, Athy, County Kildare and has had under consideration a sketch scheme submitted by the school authorities for an extension to bring the overall accommodation up to six classrooms and a general purposes area. Enrolments at the school have not, however, yet reached the level which would warrant the appointment of a sixth teacher. My Department is carrying out a review of enrolment prospects with a view to settling the amount of permanent accommodation which would be required in the long term and will communicate further with the school authorities as soon as possible with a view to reaching final agreement on the sketch plans and proceeding with the detailed planning of the necessary extension. My attention has been drawn to the report of the director of community care recommending the replacement of the existing school. I am not, however, in a position to say when the possibility of providing a capital allocation for the project will arise, owing to the extent of the commitments which had been entered into before I assumed office.
The remaining stages of the planning process will include any necessary revision of the sketch scheme, the preparation of working drawings application to the local authority for planning permission, and the preparation of the bill of quantities.