Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20212/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Kilcock, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20213/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Clane, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20214/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Sallins, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20215/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Kill, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20216/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Celbridge, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20217/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Leixlip, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20218/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of school place requirements at primary and second level in 2008 and for the foreseeable future; the means whereby it is expected to meet such requirements and over what periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20231/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 234, inclusive, and 245 together.

The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in any given area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places. This approach ensures that the use of existing accommodation is maximised and that the development and support of one school over others does not occur. As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in the Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including the areas referred to by the Deputy. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in these developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.

In this context, the status of all schools in these centres is being assessed as part of an overall delivery plan, which is currently being formulated within the Developing Areas Unit. In addition Forward Planning Section of the Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area. As is the case with all large capital projects currently on hand within the Unit, their progression will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.