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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 954, 955 and 956 together.

Sites have been reserved for post primary schools in both Tyrrelstown and Hansfield and consideration is being given to the development of a further post primary school in Castleknock. The land where the reserved site in Tyrrelstown is located is the subject of a Local Area Plan. This plan will identify the exact location of the site. When this is known, the Department will be in a position to move to purchase.

The reserved site in Hansfield is governed by regulations attaching to the Hansfield SDZ. The Department has appointed a project manager to oversee the development of a Master Plan for the site in consultation with the local authority. When the Master Plan has been finalised to the satisfaction of all the parties concerned, the site acquisition can be progressed. The schools in Hansfield will be delivered commensurate with the phasing arrangements in the SDZ in the same manner as those for the Adamstown SDZ.

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

Question 957: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her most up to date proposals to make provision for primary, second and third level educational requirements along the M4/N4 corridor having particular regard to population requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15345/07]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, the local area development plan for the N4/M4 corridor is the framework document for the Department's long-term educational strategy at both primary and post-primary level for the area concerned. Progress on the individual recommendations in the Plan are being considered in the context of the multiannual School Building and Modernisation Programme subject to the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.

With regard to third level educational provision, in the State as a whole, there are over twenty publicly-funded higher education institutions — seven of which are universities and fourteen institutes of technology. In its review of Irish Higher Education published in 2004, the OECD observed that Irish Third Level Institutions were relatively small by international standards and that this posed particular challenges in terms of achieving critical mass for academic provision, infrastructure, research and support mechanisms.

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

Question 958: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans for the provision of primary, second and third level schools and educational facilities along the M7/M9 corridor having particular regard to population driven requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15346/07]

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

I am aware that areas located along the M7/M9 corridor 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 the 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, Naas. In addition, a brand new 16 classroom school has been provided for Naas together with the provision of temporary accommodation at Scoil Corbain, St. Conleth's & St. Mary's NS, St. Conleth's Naofa and Mercy Convent in Naas. A major building project is at Stage 3, of architectural planning, to provide Caragh NS, Naas, with an additional 12-classrooms and ancillary accommodation. Gaelscoil Nás na Riogh has recently been approved to commence architectural planning for the provision of a new 16-classroom school. On top of this, approval has been given for the provision of a new 32-classroom school for Kill.

Additionally, there are proposals to improve accommodation at St. David's National School and Two Mile House National School. The accommodation needs of the national schools at Ballycane, Convent of Mercy and Scoil Corbán in Naas and Scoil Pádraig in Johnstown are also currently being assessed. At Sallins National School, a seven classroom extension is completed and this extension has increased capacity from 9 classrooms to 16 classrooms. An extension to bring the school up to 24 classrooms has commenced architectural planning.

A new primary school will commence operation in Newbridge in September 2007 under Catholic Patronage. The VEC has agreed to use a portion of its existing school site for a temporary location for the school and planning permission is being sought for this accommodation solution. The Department is pursuing a reserved site for the permanent location for the school. A major building project is at Stage 4/5 of architectural planning for the provision of 16-classroom school for Newbridge Educate together. Also, Gaelscoil Cill Dara is also at Stage 4/5 of architectural planning for the provision of 4 additional classrooms. Additional permanent classroom accommodation is being provided at Ballymany Junior and Senior Schools under the Devolved 2007 Permanent Accommodation Scheme.

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 1000 pupil places. Additionally, an extension project is completed at St. Mary's College, Naas which increases capacity at the school to 900 pupils. A similar extension is recently completed at Meanscoil Iognaid Rís, Naas and a further extension at the school is currently in architectural planning. A new post-primary school to accommodate the amalgamation of the existing post-primary Schools in Kildare town is being delivered under the Public Private Partnership Scheme.

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 the Department will keep the position under review to ensure that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.

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

Question 959: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position and proposals in regard to the provision of the proposed new school on the new site at Kill, County Kildare; when works will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15347/07]

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

Last November, I announced details of 72 primary schools and 8 post primary schools that were given the go ahead to proceed with major works such as new school building projects, extensions or refurbishments. The proposed new primary school in Kill was one of those listed.

In the first instance however a school site is required. In this regard the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department generally on the acquisitions of sites for schools, has identified a suitable site for the proposed new school in Kill. 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 the meantime however, and subject to securing the site and as a follow on from my announcement in November last, the architectural planning process for the school has commenced.

The first key step in this process is to appoint an architectural design team who will design and plan the works. To that end, an advertisement seeking design team consultants was placed on the public procurement portal, www.etenders.gov.ie, on Monday 26th March last, with the closing date for the receipt of Expressions of Interest being Friday 27th April. After these pre-qualification applications have been assessed by my School Building Section, further instructions will issue to all of the short-listed candidates seeking further submissions so that phase two of the appointment process (the Award Stage) can commence. I have been advised that the design team should be formally appointed in July.

Officials from my School Planning and Building Section have been in regular contact with representatives of the School Authority since the November announcement and met with them again recently to discuss their interim accommodation needs. This consultative approach is working well and my Department is satisfied that the co-operative approach of the School Authority will ensure that all eligible pupils will have access to a place for next September.