Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the precise steps that have been taken to secure accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, in view of the fact that it is due to open in 2019. [18364/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Maynooth Community College opened in 2014 with an Irish-medium Aonad and it was stated that should the Aonad demonstrate sufficient viability after four years from its date of establishment, a Gaelcholáiste would be established, in a partnership patronage model between Kildare and Wicklow ETB and An Foras Pátrúnachta.

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, and in view of the continued support for an independent Gaelcholáiste, it was confirmed that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to the continued viability of the Irish-medium Aonad at Maynooth Community College.

In the interim, 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. Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board is currently examining the options for accommodation for the Gaelcoláiste which will involve consideration of the timing and availability of appropriate infrastructure in the Maynooth area.