Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the commitment to the opening of a gaelcholáiste for north Kildare in Maynooth in 2019, as indicated in the school building programme 2016 to 2021 announced on 17 November 2015 by his predecessor; the steps being taken to secure a site for the gaelcholáiste in view of the fact that the gaelcholáiste is to open in 2019; when a design team will be appointed to seek planning permission for the gaelcholáiste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40543/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The new schools which will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic demand nationwide were announced in November 2015.

As part of that announcement, it was stated that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to sufficient viability of the Irish-medium Aonad, which is currently part of Maynooth Community College. The Gaelcholáiste will operate under the patronage of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board with An Foras Pátrúnachta.

In that context, my Department will continue to work closely with the Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the provision of appropriate accommodation for the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste.