Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in respect of the provision of a gaelcholáiste to serve the area of County Kildare in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33495/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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. 

As part of the Major School Building Projects announcement in November 2015 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.

I understand that a range of issues relating to the opening of the school referred to by the Deputy are matters for discussion between Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta.  My Department will continue to work closely with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the provision of appropriate accommodation for the establishment of the school to which the Deputy refers.