Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 243: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the meetings her Department officials and consultants appointed by Kildare County Council have had in relation to the drawing up of the development plan for Athy; the results of such meetings in relation to the educational needs of the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36038/06]

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

I wish to inform the Deputy that meetings have been held between officials in the School Planning Section of the Department and officials in both Kildare County Council and Athy Town Council with a view to ensuring that the necessary educational provision can be provided in the area in conjunction with the proposed future developments there. Further meetings between the Department and Local Authority are planned in order to progress matters.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 244: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the meetings her Department officials and consultants appointed by Kildare County Council have had in relation to the drawing up of the development plan for Kildare Town; the results of such meetings in relation to the educational needs of the area. [36039/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 245: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the meetings her Department officials and consultants appointed by Kildare County Council have had in relation to the drawing up of the development plan for Monasterevin; the results of such meetings in relation to the educational needs of the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36040/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 247: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the meetings her Department officials and consultants appointed by Kildare County Council have had in relation to the drawing up of the development plan for Castledermot; the results of such meetings in relation to the educational needs of the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36042/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 245 and 247 together.

As the Deputy is aware the Department is included among the prescribed authorities to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development plans or proposed variations to development plans for comment. Under this process, the Department made its submission in October, 2004 to the Kildare Draft Development Plan in relation to the areas in question.

In addition, the School Planning Section of my Department is working proactively with the local authority to explore the possibility of the development of school provision in tandem with the development of community facilities. This enhanced cooperation has the effect of minimising the Departments land requirements and thus reducing site costs while at the same time providing local communities with new schools with enhanced facilities.