Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the new post primary school in Maynooth, County Kildare; if there are to be two separate schools covering the junior and senior cycle or one building; the stage of planning for the school; if it would be more cost beneficial to build the schools on same campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36928/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A replacement school building for the existing VEC post-primary school in Maynooth has been approved. Earlier this year I also published details of new procedures and criteria for the establishment of new second level schools and of the process for determining the patronage of such new schools. I also announced details of 20 new second level schools that would need to be established between 2012 and 2017 to meet our increasing demographics. As the Deputy will be aware, Maynooth is one of the areas where a new 1,000 pupil second level school is to be established. Applications for patronage of any of the new second level schools, including the new school in Maynooth, would need to relate to the provision of a full curriculum through from first year to sixth year. This is one of the key requirements of the process. In the case of the Maynooth school the main medium of instruction will be English. The closing date for receipt of applications for patronage of the new second level schools is Friday, 13th January 2012.

Both new school buildings will be located on one campus and responsibility for the delivery of the buildings has been devolved to County Kildare Vocational Education Committee. I understand the VEC is in the process of appointing a Design Team.