Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 872: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her current or revised proposals to meet accommodation and other facilities required at the various primary and second level schools at Naas, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21164/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Naas continues 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 and 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 Ríogh 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 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.

At post primary level, the management authority of St. Patrick's Post Primary School, Co. Kildare VEC, is progressing plans to relocate the school and extend capacity to 1,000 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 was recently completed at Meánscoil Iognaid Rís, Naas and a further extension at the school is 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 the Department will keep the position under review to ensure that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.