Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her most recent plans to meet targets in respect of the provision of primary and post primary educational facilities, including school placements at Naas, County Kildare, with particular reference to the need to meet precise targets as set out by the various school authorities; the progress which has taken place in regard to these matters in recent times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4881/06]

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. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a range of significant measures has been undertaken by my Department to address the current and future need for pupil places in the area.

In the Naas locality, 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 national school and St. Conleth's Naofa. Temporary accommodation has also been approved at Caragh national school, Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh and Scoil Naomh Brighde.

A brand new state of the art 16-classroom school together with a double autistic unit was also opened last September in Naas town. This project, in particular, will assist in easing any difficulties for primary pupil places that may exist in Naas. A brand new state of the art 16-classroom school is planned for Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh. This project has been approved to commence architectural planning this year. 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 the Convent of Mercy 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 re-locate the school and extend capacity to 1,000 pupil places. 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 Rís and a further extension at the school is currently in architectural 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 going forward to ensure that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if recent discussions have been held with the authorities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare with a view to expediting the process in regard to the provision of the extra facilities required at the school; the extent to which it has been possible to meet such requirements at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4882/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I visited the school on Friday last and had a brief discussion regarding the building project with the school. My Department's officials are currently reviewing the stage three documentation, detailed plans-costs. This will be completed shortly and my officials will then be in further contact with the school authorities with regard to the next steps involved in progressing this project. Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005 to 2009.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has taken place in the matter of the provision of the urgently required extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if officials of her Department have been or are likely to be in contact with the school authorities in regard to the drawing up of plans and priorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4883/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school to which he refers was included in my recent announcement of 62 large scale building projects countrywide which have been approved to progress under the school building and modernisation programme. These will be progressed by way of the appointment of a design team under my Department's capital programme for 2006. The building section of my Department will be providing information to the schools concerned shortly on how their projects will be advanced on foot of this announcement.