Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 897: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans she has for the expansion of existing primary schools in County Louth or the construction of new schools to facilitate the large growth in population in the county. [10451/05]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 898: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans she has for the expansion of existing secondary schools in County Louth or the construction of new schools to facilitate the large growth in population in the county. [10452/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 897 and 898 together.

I am aware that Louth, like many areas located within close proximity to Dublin, continues 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 these areas. In 2004 extensions were provided at Walshestown national school, Tullyallen national school, scoil náisiúnta Mhuire in Muchgrange, and Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire Gan Smal in Cartown. In 2005, 11 primary schools in Louth have been invited to participate in the devolved small schools initiative to provide additional accommodation at their schools and to date all have accepted this initiative. Details of the conditions for drawing down the grant are being forwarded to the schools in question. In addition, a new 32-classroom school is proposed for Drogheda, and an eight classroom extension is proposed for scoil náisiúnta Mhuire na nGael in Dundalk. Both of these projects are starting architectural planning this year.

At post-primary level, an extension to Scoil Uí Mhuire, Dunleer, is under construction. An extension to Ardee Monastery is due to go to tender and construction this year. In addition, the extension projects at Drogheda and Dundalk Grammar Schools are at early architectural planning. These initiatives represent huge capital investment and demonstrate my commitment to meeting the needs of the area 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.

A new school planning model involving published area development plans is being piloted in five areas over the current school year. Drogheda is included in the pilot scheme as part of an overall plan for the north Dublin, east Meath and south Louth area. The need for additional primary and post-primary schools in that area will be considered in this context. The purpose of this new approach to school planning is to ensure that the provision of school infrastructure will be decided only after a transparent consultation process. In this regard, parents, trustees, sponsors of prospective new schools and all interested parties from a locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process.

Arising from this process, an individual plan will set out the blueprint for the future of educational provision in an area, which will be the touchstone against which all decisions in relation to capital investment will be made for the next decade. The draft plan for north Dublin, east Meath and south Louth area is nearing completion in the school planning section of my Department and I hope to be in a position to publish it soon.