Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Celbridge (Kildare) Second Level Facilities.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

414 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education her current proposals for the provision of second level education for girls in Celbridge, County Kildare, in view of the need for the replacement facilities at St. Wolstan's Holy Faith Secondary School; if she will make the necessary financial provisions in the context of the 1994 Estimates to ensure the provision of a new school within three years; her plans, if any, for the provision of second level education in Celbridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The Deputy will be aware of the decision taken by the Holy Faith Sisters to withdraw from management of their secondary school for girls in Celbridge, St. Wolstan's, in 1997.

In that light, my Department considers that a new post-primary school for girls, to cater for 700 in the short term and 550 in the long term, is required and that the school should be located as near to the existing Salesian Boys College as possible to facilitate co-operation, in view of the likely long term fall in pupil numbers. My Department is in communication with the Salesian Order with a view to purchasing a suitable site for the proposed new school.

The proposed project will be considered in due course for inclusion in the capital programme for 1994 in the light of objective criteria related to relevant educational, building and financial factors.