Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1258: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding her plans for the future provision of full primary and post-primary school facilities in line with requirements set out by the schools authorities and by reference to demographic trends with a view to ensuring that all children at primary and second level can be offered places as required at Naas, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25584/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Naas, 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 the Naas area.

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

A brand new state of the art 16-classroom school together with a double autistic unit opened in Naas town in September 2005. Additionally, there are proposals to improve accommodation at St. David's and Two Mile House national schools. The accommodation needs of the national schools at Ballycane, Caragh and the Convent of Mercy in Naas are also being assessed.

At post-primary level, the management authority of St. Patrick's, County Kildare VEC, is progressing plans to re-locate 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 that 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 these initiatives represent enormous capital investment and demonstrate my commitment to meeting the needs of the area concerned. The school planning section of the Department will keep the position under review to ensure that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.