Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 624: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to provide adequate school places in primary and second level in the Sallins, Naas and Kill areas of County Kildare with particular reference to addressing the necessity to extend the capacity of existing schools or the provision of alternative schools with a view to ensuring that parents are not forced to book their children's places up to ten years in advance; the action taken or proposed arising from the review of education needs undertaken by her Department some years ago in respect of the areas concerned; if she will set a deadline to meet the necessary targets in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9472/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Naas, Sallins and Kill, like many areas in close proximity to Dublin, continue to experience population growth, a position that almost inevitably places some strain on existing educational provision. However, a range of significant measures has been undertaken by my Department to address the current and future need for pupil places in those areas.

At primary level an entire new school has been provided at Killashee, while temporary accommodation has been provided at Scoil Corbáin, St. Conleth's and St. Mary's NS and St. Conleth's Naofa in Naas. Temporary accommodation has also been provided at one of the two nearby national schools at Caragh. In addition approval has been given to St. Corban's and Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh in Naas, Scoil Naomh Brighde, Kill and Caragh NS for additional accommodation for September 2005.

At Sallins national school, a seven-classroom extension is under construction. When completed, that extension will increase capacity from nine to 16 classrooms. An extension to bring the school up to 24 classrooms is being allowed into architectural planning this year.

A brand new, state-of-the-art, 16-classroom school, together with a double autistic unit, is under construction in Naas town. This project in particular will assist in easing any difficulties for primary pupil places that may exist in Naas. In addition, there are proposals to improve accommodation at St. David's national school and Two Mile House national school. The accommodation needs of the national schools at Ballycane, Caragh and Convent of Mercy in Naas are also being assessed.

At post-primary, the management authority of St. Patrick's post-primary school, County Kildare VEC, is progressing plans to relocate the school and extend capacity to 1,000 pupils. In addition, an extension project is under construction at St. Mary's College, which will increase capacity at the school to 900 pupils. A similar extension is under construction at Meánscoil Iognaid Rís and further accommodation needs at the school are in planning.

All those initiatives represent huge capital investment and demonstrate my commitment to meeting the needs of the areas concerned. The school planning section of my Department will keep the position under review to ensure that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 625: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to meet the primary school requirements as identified by the school authorities at Kilcock, Newtown and Tiermohan, County Kildare; when it is expected that these requirements will be met in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9473/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for capital funding from schools in Kilcock, Newtown and Tiermohan are being considered as part of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme.

Under this review, all projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating, and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.

In addition, in 2004 a new school planning model involving published draft area development plans was piloted in five areas. Included in the pilot scheme is the area around the N4-M4 from Leixlip to Kilbeggan. Included in that are the areas referred to by the Deputy.

The purpose of this new approach to school planning is to ensure that, in future, the provision of school infrastructure will be decided only after a transparent consultation process. In that regard, parents, trustees, sponsors of prospective new schools and all interested parties in the locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process.

The Commission on School Accommodation recently completed the public consultation process on the draft area development plan for the N4-M4 area, and it will bring forward its report as soon as possible. Applications for capital funding from schools in this area will continue to be processed under the review mentioned above. When the Commission's report becomes available, the appropriate adjustments will be made where necessary.