Written answers

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Gaelscoileanna Issues

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered granting a temporary prefabricated classroom to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in order to accommodate the 30 prospective students who will not be able to attain a place in September 2014, but who come from all-Irish primary schools in the north Kildare area; if he will provide details of the correspondence he has had with the school in question and with parents concerning this matter; the long-term solution available to expand capacity at second level gaelscoileanna, in particular this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4543/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's overriding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cater for increasing pupil numbers.

In June 2011, I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographic demand across a number of locations. These consist of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools, including a new post primary school for Maynooth which will assist in servicing enrolment demand in North Kildare. The announcement included the provision of an Aonad in the Maynooth school. In addition, my Department has confirmed, that if sufficient demand for education through the medium of Irish in the Aonad is demonstrated over a four year cycle, consideration will be given by my Department to the establishment of an independent Gaelcholáiste.

Maynooth Community College, which will open in September 2014, includes an Aonad. My Department has confirmed that the Aonad has capacity to cater for those students referred to by the Deputy. Kildare and Wicklow ETB is currently progressing the building of a new education campus through the planning process and this will provide permanent accommodation for the school. The school referred to by the Deputy has not submitted an application for additional accommodation to my Department and I understand that it has no plans to expand its current capacity at this time.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.