Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide Gael coláiste schools for secondary education for pupils who are attending the number of primary Gael Scoileanna in Kildare south at present; if she will provide transport facilities to such a secondary school; if there is central Gael coláiste envisaged; or her plans for secondary education through Irish in Kildare South. [18429/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Forward Planning Section of the Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015. Given the increase in the birth rate in recent years the initial focus of this analysis is on primary school accommodation requirements and this will be followed by a more detailed analysis of post-primary accommodation requirements.

When the required reports have been completed for these initial identified areas the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country. Overall school accommodation requirements in the South Kildare area, including the case for the provision of a new Irish language post-primary school, will be considered in this regard.

In addition to this detailed analysis of accommodation needs currently being carried out by Forward Planning Section, the Department is also currently examining a number of broad policy issues regarding the establishment of new post-primary schools. As part of this, consideration is being given to the setting up of a new framework in relation to the establishment of new second level schools and their patronage.