Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3028/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has carried out a technical assessment of the existing school buildings and sites to determine their suitability to host the proposed amalgamation. This assessment has ruled out the use of the existing buildings and sites for the purposes of accommodating the amalgamated school. The Parish has offered to make a greenfield site available for an amalgamated school. My Department has carried out a technical inspection of this proposed site and has deemed it suitable for the proposed amalgamated school.

An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area is necessary in order to determine the long term projected staffing figure on which the amalgamated schools accommodation needs will be based. Once the long term projection has been determined and agreed with the school authorities the building project will be considered in the context of the multi annual School Building and Modernisation programme.