Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to her recent visit to Naas in the matter of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, her plans to meet the schools requirements as set out by the school authorities; when she expects to be in a position to meet the requests in full having particular regard to the fact that such requirements were clearly visible in advance; the extent to which she has evaluated the entire primary and second level requirements in the Naas, Sallins and Kill areas having due regard for the rapidly expanding population in the area and the need to enable children receive their education in permanent classrooms instead of prefabricated structures; if her attention has been drawn to the continuous campaigning for extra educational facilities in the area over several years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12479/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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. A new 16-classroom school together with temporary accommodation has been provided at Scoil Corbain, St. Conleth's and St. Mary's NS and St. Conleth's Naofa in Naas. Temporary accommodation has also been provided at one of the two nearby national schools at Caragh. Approval has been given to Gaelscoil Nás na Riogh, Caragh NS and Kill NS for additional accommodation for September 2006. Gaelscoil Nás na Riogh has recently been approved to commence architectural planning for the provision of a new 16-classroom school.

At Sallins national school, a seven-classroom extension is complete and this extension has increased capacity from nine classrooms to 16 classrooms. An extension to bring the school up to 24 classrooms has commenced architectural planning. The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department on site acquisitions generally, is continuing, in consultation with the local authority, to explore all possibilities on the acquisition of a site for a new 16 to 24-classroom national school in Kill. Every effort is being made to ensure that a site is acquired as soon as possible. There are proposals to improve accommodation at St. David's, Two Mile House and Caragh national schools. The accommodation needs of the national schools at Ballycane, Convent of Mercy in Naas and Scoil Pádraig in Johnstown 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 pupil places. 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.

These initiatives represent serious 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 that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible. The issue of extra facilities for the school to which the Deputy specifically refers is under discussion with the board of management.