Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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887. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received details setting out the case for a Gaelcholaiste in north Kildare; if she has had sight of the supportive submission prepared by the local support group based on the Gaelcholaiste's requirements as determined by the current enrolment in the various Gaelscoileanna throughout the area and keeping in mind the urgent need for the provision of second level places to meet the ongoing supply of children from Scoil Ui Dhalaigh, Scoil Ui Fhiaich and Scoil Ui Riada; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41474/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department is in receipt of a submission in relation to the establishment of a Gaelcholáiste for the north Kildare area. This is being examined as part of a nationwide review of demographics to determine where additional school infrastructure will be needed at post-primary level from 2016 onwards.

My Department's five-year construction plan is focused on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to accommodate increasing pupil numbers.

The establishment of any new school is, therefore, considered in the context of the overall need for additional school places to meet future demographic demands with new schools being advanced in line with an objective process and criteria for determining patronage and language medium of instruction.

The Deputy will be aware that a new post-primary school opened in the north Kildare area in September 2014. This school is operating an all-Irish Aonad to supplement all-Irish post primary provision in the area. 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 to the establishment of an independent Gaelcholáiste. This remains the position.