Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1019: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in which she expects to meet the enrolment need of parents in the Sallins, Naas, Kill areas of County Kildare at primary and post-primary level in the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11217/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Sallins, Naas and Kill, like many areas located within 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 these areas.

At primary level, an entire new school has been provided at Killashee, while temporary accommodation has been provided at Scoil Corbain, St. Conleth's and St. Mary's national school 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 Bríghde, Kill, and Caragh national school for additional accommodation for September 2005.

A seven classroom extension is under construction at Sallins national school. When completed, this extension will increase capacity from nine classrooms to 16 classrooms. An extension to bring the school up to 24 classroom 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. Additionally, 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 level, 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. Additionally, 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 Meanscoil Iognaid Ris and further accommodation needs at the school are in planning.

All these initiatives represent significant 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 going forward to ensure additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1021: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status or band rating for funding for the construction of a school for the gaelscoil in Wicklow town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11240/05]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1022: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status or band rating for funding for the construction of a school for the gaelscoil in Arklow, County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11241/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1022 together.

As part of a review of all projects for the 2005 capital programme, applications for capital funding from the gaelscoileanna in Wicklow town and Arklow were assessed against the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects, which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. Under this review, all projects were assigned a band rating and the progress of individual projects is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.