Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputies' frustration. Approximately 30 planning areas, from a total of 314 such areas, have been approved for new schools. In some cases, the need is being met by programmes that are already under way. In the area we are discussing, five school projects are already under way. In other cases, the need is being met through the potential expansion of existing schools. As the Chairman of the joint committee, Deputy O'Loughlin has had access to the officials who advise me on these matters. I think they have made themselves available to assure her of how they are applying these rules. People can criticise the rules. I understand why people put the rules under scrutiny when decisions that are unfavourable to them are made. I assure the House that they are applied even-handedly and fairly across all areas.

As Deputy Heydon has said, we factor additional ASD units into our school programmes and they are being factored into these plans. Over recent years, we have more than doubled the number of ASD units at second level. The number of such units is growing more quickly than the number of such units at primary level. That reflects the success we are having in enabling students to continue on to second level. I assure the Deputies that I regard educational provision in south Kildare as extremely important. I will seek constant updates from the Department on the progress of St. Paul's secondary school in Monasterevin, in particular.

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