Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the second level schools in Naas, County Kildare, that are currently full to capacity; her plans to provide extra or alternative space in the near future within the existing school sites or adjacent, or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20352/06]

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.

At post-primary level, the management authority of St. Patrick's Post Primary School, Co. Kildare V.E.C., 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 312: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools in Naas, County Kildare which are full to capacity; the number with spare capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20353/06]

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 & St. Mary's NS and St. Conleth's Naofa. Temporary accommodation has also been approved at Caragh NS, Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh and Scoil Naomh Brighde.

A brand new state of the art sixteen classroom school together with a double autistic unit was also opened last September in Naas town. Another brand new sixteen 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.

The indications are that, between them, these developments will be sufficient to meet the needs of the area into the future, however, as with all areas experiencing significant population growth, my Department will be keeping the situation under review.