Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a new school building for a college (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27356/05]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the figures she based the temporary cancellation of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare on the grounds of a viability study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27357/05]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grounds on which a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare was put on hold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27358/05]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a viability study has commenced on a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if not, when it is due to commence; the expected length of time the study will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27359/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 to 402, inclusive, together.

The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning. However, owing to a continuing decline in enrolments and the level of investment which would be required to facilitate a relatively small number of pupils, it was decided not to allow the proposed project to progress through architectural planning until a complete review of the long-term viability of the school had been carried out.

The project was initially planned for a long-term projected enrolment of 400 pupils based on demographic information available at that time. In the event, the population did not increase as expected and enrolment in the school continued to decline as it has done for over ten years. For example, in the 2004-05 school year, 187 mainstream students and 65 further education students were attending the school. This compares with 315 mainstream students and 48 further education students in 1995. In the past five years overall enrolment declined by some 22% alone. This was rightly a matter of concern to my Department given the level of investment which it was being required to make.

It is common practice for my Department to review all projects before they are included in a capital programme. I expect the review being carried out on the particular project in question to be finalised shortly and contact will be made directly with the school authority in relation to this matter at that time.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if finances will be made available for an upgrade of current facilities; if assistance for upgrading is seen as urgent; and if she will make a statement on the future of the current school building. [27360/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The new eight classroom building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department's officials are in the process of examining a recently received stage 2 submission, developed sketch scheme, and when this examination is completed will be in contact with the school authorities with regard to the next steps involved in progressing this building project.