Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:467 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to provision of extra facilities at Rathmore national school, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3527/00]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
Minister for Education and Science
(Dr. Woods): Architectural planning for the facilities in question is under way at present. It is not possible to say at this point when construction will commence.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:468 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has come to a conclusion regarding future strategy for the provision of primary and secondary levels schools and education facilities in Naas and Kill, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3528/00]
As my predecessor informed the Deputy in reply to parliamentary Question No. 237 on 1 December 1999, my Department carried out an assessment of primary and post-primary accommodation needs in Naas during 1998.
At primary level, temporary accommodation has been provided at existing schools in the Naas area to cater for immediate requirements. Architectural planning for a new 16-classroom school is under way and it is expected that, when this building becomes available, there will be sufficient accommodation available in the town to meet medium/long-term requirements.
At second level, building projects are well under way in all three schools in Naas. It is envisaged that the accommodation thus provided will enable the schools to meet the immediate and long-term requirements of the area. The proposed extension at one of these schools has been revised to include 100 additional places. This will enable the school in question cater for 900 pupils in the long-term. My Department will continue to monitor developments in Naas to ensure that any emerging additional demands are promptly addressed.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Kill, County Kildare, is not available due to an industrial dispute in my Department.