Vol. 484 No. 2
150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current position in relation to the provision of extra facilities at St. Mary's College, Naas, County Kildare; if he will give details of the extent to which these facilities are currently required; if he will give details of the extent to which he will address this issue in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21766/97]
The authorities of St. Mary's College, Naas, received approval from my Department in October 1997 to proceed to stage 4 of architectural planning — detailed design.
151 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the application for planning permission for a second level girls school at Celbridge, County Kildare has not been validated; the proposals, if any, he has to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21767/97]
The application for planning permission for a second level girls school at Celbridge, County Kildare was submitted to Kildare County Council on 24 October 1997. It is understood from the County Council that the application will be dealt with speedily.
152 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools in County Kildare in respect of which his Department has received requests for extra accommodation and other facilities; the extent, if any, to which he will respond positively within the next 12 months in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21768/97]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and I cannot justify assigning scarce staff resources to its compilation. If the Deputy has a query in respect of a particular school, I will be happy to provide the information.
153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level schools in County Kildare in respect of which his Department has received requests for extra accommodation and other facilities; the extent, if any, to which he will respond positively within the next 12 months in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21769/97]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. If the Deputy has a query in respect of a particular school, I will be happy to provide the information.
154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the criteria in respect of the establishment of regional colleges with the objective of locating one of these colleges in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21770/97]
The steering committee on the Future Development of Higher Education was asked to examine "within the overall national context . the needs for higher education on a regional basis .". Following its examination of Dublin and the surrounding counties, the committee recommended Blanchardstown as the appropriate location for the establishment of a new regional technical college to serve the north, north-west and north-east Dublin region as well as growth areas in Meath and Kildare.
A planning group is currently undertaking the development of a strategic plan for a college in Blanchardstown which includes, inter alia, industry links, support services and research and consultancy. The courses will focus on the needs and the human resource requirements of leading edge high technology industries and on languages, business, science and engineering fields.
The needs of County Kildare are also catered for in the development plans for Carlow and Tallaght Regional Technical Colleges.
