Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 659: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to meet all primary and second level school place requirements in the Naas, Sallins, and Kill areas of County Kildare, in view of the increase in population and the timeframe involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33183/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 687: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding relocation of a school to extend its capacity to 1,000 pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33211/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 687 together.

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 Corbáin, St. Conleth's and St. Mary's national school and St. Conleth's Naofa in Naas. Temporary accommodation has also been approved at Caragh national school, St. Corban's, Gaelscoil Nás na Riogh in Naas and Scoil Naomh Brighde.

A brand new state-of-the-art 16 classroom school together with a double autistic unit was opened this September in Naas town. This project 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 long-term accommodation needs of the national schools at Ballycane, Caragh and Convent of Mercy in Naas are also currently being assessed.

At post-primary level, the management authority of St. Patrick's post-primary school, County Kildare VEC, is currently 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 Meánscoil Iognáid Ris and further accommodation needs at the school are currently in planning. At Sallins national school, a seven classroom extension is under construction. When completed, this extension will increase capacity from nine classrooms to 16 classrooms. An extension to bring the school up to 24 classrooms is being allowed into architectural planning this year.

Regarding Kill, the property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department concerning site acquisitions generally, is continuing in consultation with the local authority to explore all possibilities in respect of the acquisition of a site for a new 16 classroom national school in Kill. Every effort is being made to ensure that a site is acquired as soon as possible. All of 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 that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.