Vol. 570 No. 2
292 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's contacts with Scoil Chaitlín Maude, Knockmore, Tallaght, Dublin 24, in respect of its future accommodation needs; his views on the importance of responding to these needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18505/03]
I have arranged for an official from my Department to contact the school regarding this matter.
293 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to plans for a new housing development close to Killinarden parish in Dublin 24; his views on whether these proposals present huge challenges for the existing school accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18506/03]
Officials of my Department's planning section meet on a regular basis with the planning department of South Dublin County Council with a view to identifying the need for additional educational provision and reserving sites for schools, where required. The overall enrolment trend in schools in the Killinarden area is downward. However, in light of the proposed additional housing in the area, my Department will continue to monitor developments and any needs identified will be addressed by increasing existing school capacity, or through new school provision, as appropriate.
294 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans to provide additional schools accommodation to cater for the new developments in Ballycullen, Dublin 24; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns of the local community that provision be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18507/03]
297 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans in place to provide a national school to meet the needs of the newly expanding area of Woodstown-Ballycullen in Dublin south and the Dublin south ward. [18563/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 297 together.
Officials of my Department's planning section meet on a regular basis with the planning department of South Dublin County Council with a view to identifying the need for additional educational provision and reserving sites for schools, where required. Arising from this process, a site for primary school purposes has been reserved in the Ballycullen area. A decision on the provision of a new school in Ballycullen will involve further consultations with the local authority regarding the rate and likely timescale of housing developments in the area, together with an ongoing assessment of the capacity of existing schools in the area to meet the anticipated demand. My Department will continue to monitor developments and any needs identified will be addressed by increasing existing school capacity, or through new school provision, as appropriate.
295 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science his contacts in respect of the school needs of the new housing developments in Westbrook and Carrigmore at Tallaght and Saggart; if his attention has been drawn to the serious consideration that is needed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18508/03]
Officials of my Department's planning section meet on a regular basis with the planning department of South Dublin County Council with a view to identifying the need for additional educational provision and reserving sites for schools, where required. Arising from this process, sites for primary school purposes have been reserved at Fortunestown and Saggart. A decision on the provision of new schools in these areas will involve further consultations with the local authority regarding the rate and likely timescale of housing developments, together with an ongoing assessment of the capacity of existing schools in the area to meet the anticipated demand. In this regard, it should be noted that the overall enrolment trend in schools in the Tallaght area is downward. However, in light of the proposed additional housing in the area, my Department will continue to monitor developments and any needs identified will be addressed by increasing existing school capacity, or through new school provision, as appropriate.
296 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to expand the secondary school in Knocklyon to meet the demands of the growing population; and the status of the planning process for such an expansion. [18562/03]
I take it the Deputy is referring to St. Colmcille's community school, Knocklyon. This school opened in September 2000 and was planned to cater for a long-term enrolment of 650 pupils. Prior to arriving at a long-term projected enrolment figure for St. Colmcilles, on which the accommodation brief was based, a thorough examination of existing postprimary provision in the general area was carried out. I am satisfied there is adequate postprimary provision in the Knocklyon area and accordingly there are no plans to provide additional accommodation at St. Colmcille's. Officials of the planning section will, of course, continue to monitor developments in the Knocklyon area with a view to the timely provision of additional educational facilities should the need emerge.
Question No. 297 answered with Question No. 294.
