Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans she has for post primary education and the provision of new schools and extensions to existing post primary schools in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33314/06]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans she has for primary education and the provision of new schools and extensions to existing primary schools in County Louth. [33315/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.

The Department is aware that the population of County Louth continues to increase and this is causing some strain on existing educational infrastructure. However, it has undertaken a number of significant measures to address the current and future need for pupil places in the area at primary and post primary level. At primary level these include the recent provision of extensions at Walshestown NS, Tullyallen NS, Scoil Mhuire in Muchgrange and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál in Cartown. In addition a new 32 classroom school has been approved for Drogheda and major extensions have been approved for Ardee Monastery NS, Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Dundalk and St. Buite's NS, Tenure. Smaller extensions have been approved for St. Maolmhaodhagh NS, Dundalk and St Ita's Special School in Drogheda. A new school building has also been approved for Mell NS, Drogheda. It is also proposed to provide a new 16 classroom school for Le Chéile in Drogheda. At post primary level an extension to Scoil Uí Mhuire, Dunleer is under construction and extension projects at Drogheda Grammar School and Dundalk Grammar School are in architectural planning. The Department is also examining applications for extensions at Bush Post-Primary School; Coláiste Rís Dundalk; St. Vincent's Secondary School, Dundalk; Our Lady's College Greenhills; Sacred Heart Secondary School, Drogheda; St. Joseph's CBS, Drogheda; and St. Mary's Diocesan School, Drogheda.

The Department has had discussions with Louth County Council which has appointed consultants to draw up a master plan for 3 new residential neighbourhoods as identified under the Local Area Plan for the North Drogheda Environs in 2004. The Department received draft working papers on the planning strategy for this master plan and officials subsequently met with the local authority to discuss the plan. Following this, the Department corresponded with the local authority outlining its initial assessment of educational requirements at both primary and post-primary level for the area based on a proposal in the plan to deliver up to 7,500 new houses over the next 10-15 years.

The Department also received correspondence from Dundalk Town Council with regard to a proposed development plan for the South West Sector of Dundalk. This correspondence outlined proposals for the development of 3 areas of residential development comprising some 7,300 units. As a result the Department outlined its initial assessment of educational requirements for this area based on the proposed development. The next stage in this process is the preparation of a draft development plan by the local authority which the Department will be commenting on when available. Apart from this, as the Deputy will also be aware, a new school planning model involving published area development plans is being piloted in five areas throughout the country. Drogheda is included in the pilot scheme as part of an overall plan for the North Dublin/East Meath and South Louth area. The need for additional primary and post-primary schools in the area will be further considered in this context. I hope to be in a position to publish the draft plan in question shortly.