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

Question 319: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of schools in an area of high population density in County Kildare (details supplied); the number of meetings she or her Department has had or proposes to have with the relevant bodies and interested parties in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24235/07]

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

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a range of significant measures have been undertaken by the Department to address the current and future need for pupil places in the area in question.

A new primary school commenced operation in Newbridge from September 2007 under Catholic Patronage. The VEC agreed to use of a portion of its existing school site as a temporary location for the school. The Department is actively pursuing a more permanent accommodation solution for the new school.

A major building project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning for the provision of 16-classroom school for Newbridge Educate Together National School. A project to provide 4 additional classrooms at Gaelscoil Cill Dara is also at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Officials in the School Planning Section of the Department are in communication with the relevant authorities of the existing schools and Kildare County Council to determine how best to meet both the immediate and long-term educational needs of the area as expeditiously as possible.