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

There is an Educate Together campaign in south Kildare with which the Minister is familiar. A petition was signed by more than 2,500 people who want more educational choice at second level in south Kildare. I know that decisions on patronage are made after decisions on capacity in the context of new schools but we have challenges in how education is delivered at second level in south Kildare. Even after all of the promised extensions are built there will be schools like the Curragh post-primary where conditions are Dickensian. That school is not fit for purpose. Discussion on a new school building could centre on a new building for the Curragh post-primary school as opposed to a brand new, stand alone building. The Department of Defence, which is a co-patron for two primary schools on the Curragh camp, is open to considering other site options. We could be looking at a shared partnership model between Educate Together and the education and training board in a brand new Curragh post-primary school. No one in the Department of Education and Skills can argue that the current conditions for pupils at Curragh post-primary school are good enough. That option could be a solution to the overall demographic pressure. I ask that the Department continues to bear all of this in mind and to keep a very close eye on south Kildare. I will continue to raise this matter in the House because a new school is needed in south Kildare.

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