Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that the property in which Maynooth Post Primary School was located until recently is owned by Kildare-Wicklow Education and Training Board, KWETB. The school is relocating to a new location. The property vacated by the school has been identified as the permanent location for the Gaelcholáiste, as the Deputy confirmed in his contribution.

The Gaelcholáiste will take up occupancy once the necessary work on the property is completed. My Department understands that the movement of the Gaelcholáiste to the vacated post-primary school property is a priority for KWETB. The latter has received an application from Maynooth Boys' National School to use the adjoining entrance in the vacated property for access to the school while work is under way on the national school. I note what the Deputy said about the school being like a building site.

The national school has also sought access to some of the school facilities, which the Deputy mentioned, like the AstroTurf pitch and recreational facilities. He will be pleased to note that following engagement between the national school and KWETB, agreement has been reached for the provision of access and car parking to the boys' national school on the vacated school site. Engagement is continuing regarding access to other school facilities on the site. As is the practice, this engagement will be undertaken locally between all the relevant parties, including other schools, with the objective of reaching an agreement regarding the use of these facilities. Any further queries on arrangements regarding the property concerned should be referred to KWETB. Any decision around disposal or lease of an ETB property would first have to be considered by the board and then approved by the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. The boys' national school has approximately 560 pupils so it will need that access and I am delighted that it has now got it in place.

The Deputy mentioned access to the AstroTurf pitch and recreational facilities. The sort of accommodation can be made around that would need to be addressed directly with the ETB. It would also have to be borne in mind that the Gaelscoil, which will take up occupancy in that site once works are completed, would have to be accommodated once it is ready to proceed. The Gaelscoil is currently in temporary accommodation in Manor Mills in Maynooth and once that work is completed it will be moving. The KWETB is also the patron of the Gaelcholáiste, which will have in the region of 500 pupils and is a co-educational school as well. We want to ensure the schools work together and that we can provide access for children. The Deputy mentioned earlier that the boys' national schools is situated at a very heavy junction so we want to ensure, for the children's health and safety, that they have that access and that car parking space. I am glad that has now been agreed between the respective parties. Any other outstanding issues can be agreed going forward between all the relevant parties. I thank the Deputy for his continuing concern and representations on behalf of these schools, in order that we can provide adequate educational facilities for these school-going children.

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