Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I particularly welcome his important clarification that if the design team for St. Paul's secondary school in Monasterevin can deliver a new school building more quickly, the Department will roll with that. His confirmation that the school will be contacted on its latest design submission by the end of April is absolutely crucial too. The matter of choice is a very important one in this respect. People in the south Kildare area want increased choice of educational provision. That was the predominant factor that led to the Educate Together campaign. I know there have been discussions between the Educate Together movement at national level and the school authorities at St. Conleth's Community College in Newbridge. I ask the Department to look at that because there are people who want increased choice to be provided in the south Kildare area. I welcome the decision of the patron of Brannockstown primary school, which has closed, to divest the school. I have been involved with the committee of Save the School Brannockstown. There is an opportunity for more choice in the provision of primary education in Brannockstown. It is a real possibility for the broader community there.

There has been a substantial increase in the population of south Kildare over the last couple of decades. The population of the county has increased by over 100,000. As the Government's Rebuilding Ireland policy takes hold, building sites are opening up. The increase in the number of planning permissions being granted is going to lead to further demographic pressures. We disagree with the Department's decision not to grant a new school in south Kildare, as announced last week. We will continue to ask the Department to ensure the ongoing analysis that has been mentioned by the Minister is expedited so that the proposed extensions that are needed at Patrician College in Newbridge, St. Conleth's community college in Newbridge, Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen and Athy community college are delivered as soon as possible. Each of these projects would provide the additional ASD classes that are badly needed in the south Kildare area. Even if these projects go ahead, the Department needs to keep an open mind regarding the provision of a new school. I believe such a school will be needed down the line.

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