Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the stage of the negotiations between her Department, the Office of Public Works and Kildare County Council in regard to the finalisation of the acquisition of a site for the new school at Kill, County Kildare; her intention to accelerate the process with a view to meeting the accommodation requirements of the school at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11033/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the new school and facilities at Kill, County Kildare; the reason for the delay in view of the urgency of the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11034/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.

The Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of the Department generally on the acquisitions of sites for schools, has identified a suitable site for the school in question. Agreement on the site acquisition has been reached subject to contract. While draft contracts have been exchanged, I am advised that the conveyancing process continues to be delayed pending the outcome of a planning application by the vendor.

In November, 2006 I announced that this project was to commence architectural design so that preliminary progress can be made on the delivery of the new building. Subject to securing the site, School Building Section is examining options, including the use of generic design, to speed up delivery of this project. When the best method of delivery is determined it will be possible to describe the stages that have to be concluded and to give an indicative time frame for delivery.

With regard to current enrolments and enrolments for September 2007, the school has taken steps to ensure that all eligible pupils can be accommodated.