Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which his attention has been drawn to the need to provide extra accommodation at primary and second level schools in Celbridge, County Kildare, with particular reference to the need to respond to the population increase in terms of extra or alternative school accommodation, and bearing in mind the need to reduce class sizes in accordance with indications given prior to the general election in 2007; the extent to which he expects to respond positively to these needs in each case in the short to medium term; when he expects to conclude on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26565/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which an evaluation has been carried out toward identifying optimum primary and second level school needs including extra accommodation and reduction in class sizes at Maynooth, County Kildare; his proposals to meet requirements in the short to medium term with particular reference to the need to meet such needs as required; his intentions to deliver on such projects in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26566/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including Celbridge and Maynooth. 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 Celbridge and Maynooth are being assessed as part of the overall delivery plans for each area which are currently being formulated within the Developing Areas Unit. Any decision to progress projects in these areas will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to address the issue of class size and classroom accommodation at primary and second level at Naas, County Kildare; the extent to which it is expected to approve the respective projects pending; if his attention has been drawn to the degree of urgency in respect of each project in view of the population increase in the area and the need to meet commitments made prior to the general election in 2007 wherein it was understood that specific targets would be met within a short period; if his attention has further been drawn to the time factor involved since some of these projects were first brought to his attention; if he will give instructions to advance the most urgently required projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26567/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including Naas. 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. 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which it is expected to provide permanent classroom accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the extent of the preparatory work including planning permission and scale of the project; when it is expected to make the necessary financial allocation to allow the project to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26568/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the construction phase of the project to deliver new classroom accommodation for the school in question is ongoing and that, in fact, the works commenced as far back as 31 March 2008.

Initially, 10 new classrooms will be delivered in August 2008, ready for the 2008/2009 school year. The second phase will see the construction of a further 16-classroom facility, which the school will occupy from September 2009 onwards.