Vol. 481 No. 6
40 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when his Department will be in a position to apply for planning permission to Kildare County Council for a new secondary school at Ballymakealy, Celbridge, County Kildare, to replace the second level girls school at St. Wolstan's, Celbridge; if he will give a likely date for the commencement of construction in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16599/97]
Stage two of the architectural planning for the new school in Celbridge to replace St. Wolstan's has been completed by the design team and approved by the Department. The design team is now preparing the next stage which is detailed design. The consultant architects have also been instructed to apply to the Kildare County Council for planning permission and I understand that a meeting with county council officials to expedite the process have been arranged for 16 October 1997. It is not possible to say when construction will commence. However, every effort will be made by the Department, in co-operation with the design team, to advance the project to the point where tenders can be obtained in the shortest time possible.
