Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a gaelcholáiste in north County Kildare; the extent to which plans are proceeding as expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52299/17]

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.

Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board is continuing to examine the options for accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy which will involve consideration of the timing and availability of appropriate infrastructure in the area.

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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which primary and second level school place requirements continue be met in Naas, County Kildare; the extent to which progress can be reported in respect of the plans for a school (details supplied); the extent to which his Department has evaluated further requirements in the area; his plans to address the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52303/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's Capital Programme continues to address the challenge posed by a rapidly increasing school population. To meet this demographic challenge, my Department’s Capital Investment Programme (2016-2021), details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process towards tender and construction including projects in Co Kildare. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed.

There is currently a review underway of the need for school places across our 314 school planning areas, which is expected to identify new needs due to the higher than expected population recorded census.

As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in the 6 Year Construction Programme.

A site visit to the school has been undertaken by my Department which involved an assessment of the school building. The outcome of the visit is currently being considered and this will assist in determining how the accommodation needs of the school will be addressed. This includes the formulation of the accommodation brief i.e. defining the extent of extension/refurbishment to be provided. My Department has been liaising with the school’s Patron in this regard. When the brief formulation process has been completed, my Department will be in further contact with the Patron in relation to the next steps to be taken to initiate the architectural planning process for the project.

The Action Plan for Education sets out the Government's ambitions for the Education system, including the commitment contained in the Programme for Government, towards the prioritisation of school educational infrastructure.

Following the Capital Review, additional capital funding of €332m will be available to the schools sector primarily from 2019 onwards, boosting investment in our primary and post-primary schools infrastructure. This significant investment reflects the priority which government has put on education on delivering on our ambition to deliver a fair society and a strong economy.