Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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501. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the establishment of a gaelcholáiste in North Kildare; if her Department has analysed figures from the area that indicate the need for a gaelcholáiste, particularly based on the demand for places in gaelscoileanna; her views on the limited capacity at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin, which currently caters for students from Kildare North; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39409/15]

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

The school in County Dublin to which the Deputy refers was established a number of years ago to cater for all-Irish post-primary demand in North Kildare and South Dublin. This school was built to cater for 600 pupils. There is a refurbishment project in progress to provide 4 additional classrooms. In addition 4 temporary classrooms and a science laboratory have recently been installed. The works being undertaken will increase the school's enrolment capacity to approximately 850 pupils. There were 597 pupils enrolled in September 2014.