Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for giving me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the actions being taken by the Department of Education and Science to address the school accommodation needs of the Dublin 15 area in general.

Dublin 15 is one the most rapidly developing areas in the country and, as a result, there has been a marked increase in the demand for school places, particularly at primary level. The Department of Education and Science is taking a number of measures to increase the capacity of existing schools in the area concerned along with the development of new schools to meet this growing demand.

A building project at Huntstown national school will increase its capacity to 32 classrooms and this project is nearing completion. In addition, a building project to provide a new school building for Mary Mother of Hope national school is currently on site. To further expand capacity at this school, the Department has approached the school's board of management to discuss the possibility of expanding the school to cater for a four stream intake at junior infant level for next September. This could be achieved by the school expanding to a 32-classroom school or reorganising to form a junior and senior school. This development will cater for the needs of pupils wishing to attend the school for next September.

The area in question is also served by Castaheaney Educate Together national school. The Department of Education and Science is currently pursuing the issue of site acquisition for this school and the provision of a permanent school building for it will be prioritised in the Department. It is envisaged that this will grow to a 24-classroom school which will facilitate an annual intake of three junior infant classes. Temporary accommodation will be provided in the interim to meet the school's immediate needs for next September.

A combination of the measures outlined will alleviate demand for pupil places in the area for the foreseeable future. I will convey the Senator's comments regarding secondary schools to the Minister for Education and Science.