Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 1221: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 9 April 2009, if there has been finalisations in relation to recommendations regarding a Gaelcoláiste for north Kildare. [29645/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The forward Planning Section of my Department is still in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for future years.

Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the 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.

Post-primary accommodation requirements in the North Kildare area, and any subsequent issues which may arise, such as the need for a new gaelcholaiste will be considered in this regard.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 1222: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to ensure there are sufficient places for children wishing to attend a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in September 2009. [29646/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding to provide for an 8 classroom extension to the existing school. More recently the school has sought a devolved grant to purchase a four classroom room modular build with the capacity to extend, in time, to eight classrooms.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. In light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

In the meantime it is open to the school management to apply to my Department for funding towards the provision of temporary accommodation to meet any shortfall in accommodation that might arise pending the progression of the large scale building project.