Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the requirements in terms of accommodation or otherwise in each of the schools, primary and post-primary, in Celbridge, County Kildare, in the course of the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25592/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, following widespread local consultation, my Department recently published an area development plan for the N4-M4 corridor.

This plan outlines the Department's long-term educational strategy at both primary and post-primary level for this area which includes Celbridge. The recommendations in the plan are being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards, subject to the prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1267: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the requirements in terms of accommodation or otherwise in each of the schools, primary and post-primary, in Maynooth, County Kildare, in the course of the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25593/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, following widespread local consultation, my Department recently published an area development plan for the N4-M4 corridor. This plan outlines my Department's long-term educational strategy at both primary and post-primary level for this area which includes Maynooth. The recommendations in the plan are being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards subject to the prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1268: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the requirements in terms of accommodation or otherwise in each of the schools, primary and post-primary, in Leixlip, County Kildare, in the course of the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25594/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, following widespread local consultation, my Department recently published an area development plan for the N4-M4 corridor. This plan outlines my Department's long-term educational strategy at both primary and post-primary level for this area which includes Leixlip. The recommendations in the plan are being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards subject to the prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1269: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the requirements in terms of accommodation or otherwise in each of the schools, primary and post-primary, in Naas, County Kildare, in the course of the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25596/05]

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 and St. Mary's NS and St. Conleth's Naofa. 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, Gaelscoil Nas na Riogh 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 national school and Two Mile House national school. 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 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 that 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 of 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 any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1270: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25597/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale projects. Progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.