Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action that has been taken to deliver additional facilities for the Kildare section identified in the M4-N4 examination of school needs published by her Department during the summer months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26438/05]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 496: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if it is intended to replicate the M4-N4 examination of school needs in the M7-N7 catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26439/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 496 together.

The recommendations in the N4-M4 area development plan will form a vital framework in which future decisions about school planning in this area will be made. Progress on individual recommendations will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards subject to the prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.

The N4-M4 area development plan is one of five plans being carried out by my Department under a pilot scheme. When the pilot has been completed with the publication of the draft plan for the north Dublin-east Meath-south Louth area and for the north Kerry area, consideration will be given at that stage to extending it to other areas of the country.

In the meantime the normal planning processes will continue to apply. This involves research by the school planning section of my Department into all the relevant factors affecting school accommodation in any given area including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Liaison with existing schools is an important part of the process as is liaison with local authorities.

In this way, every effort will be made to ensure that there is adequate existing provision, or that timely arrangements are made to extend capacity or provide new infrastructure where necessary.