Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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405. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which all primary and post-primary school accommodation requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare, are being co-ordinated with a view to meeting the plans set out by the various school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20132/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Under project Ireland 2040, the Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

In 2019, the capital allocation for the school sector amounts to €622 m.

Construction activity in 2018 and 2019 will deliver approx. 40,000 additional and replacement school places, the replacement of over 600 prefabs which is a key element of our prefab replacement programme.

In April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure. In addition, on 26 April last, I announced the establishment of a further national school in Ashbourne which will open in September 2019.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects, including those in County Kildare, being delivered under project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ieand this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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406. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed extension, upgrading and replacement of facilities at primary and post-primary level in Kilcock, County Kildare; the precise stage of development in each case with a view to identifying the extent to which the needs can be met in the medium to short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20133/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding was allocated to Scoil Dara, Kilcock in 2018 under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. The allocation is for the provision of 9 Mainstream classrooms, 9 WC's, 1 Assisted Users WC, 2 Science Labs and Prep Area and 1 x 119 m²Arts and Crafts Room.

Additionally, Coole National School, Kilcock, was allocated funding in 2019 under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme for the provision of an additional mainstream classroom with en-suite toilets.

These projects have been devolved for delivery to the school authorities. It is now a matter for the Boards of Management of the relevant schools to advance them.

The major building project at St Joseph's National School, Kilcock is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design. This includes the application for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

Authorisation to recommence the pre-qualification process has recently been issued to the Design Team and school. When the pre-qualification process is complete the project will then be progressed to tender stage. Finally, I can also advise the Deputy that these projects are being delivered in the area in question to meet identified demographic demands.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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407. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding proposed extension, upgrading and replacement of facilities at primary and post-primary level in Clane, County Kildare; the precise stage of development in each case with a view to identifying the extent to which the needs can be met in the medium to short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20134/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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My Department's School Building Programme continues to address the challenges posed by the significant bulge in pupil enrolments going through our schools. This has seen a significant expansion in the rate of provision of new school places. The School Building Programme details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process, including those schools in County Kildare.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the major building project for the boys primary school in Clane is currently at Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design. The pre-qualification process to select a short list of suitable contractors has been completed and the Design Team is currently carrying out a final review of tender documentation. Once this work is complete the Department will be in contact with the Board of Management with a view to progressing the project to tender stage. A tender stage normally takes between 7 and 8 months to complete.

My Department has also received an application, for additional accommodation from a post-primary school in Clane, once the assessment process has been completed officials from my Department will contact the school authority directly. 

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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408. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which plans are in hand or in progress to meet in full the primary and second level education needs in terms of extension, upgrading and replacement at the various existing or new schools in Naas, County Kildare, with particular reference to the identification of precise proposals in each case with a view to ensuring adequate accommodation in line with the demographics of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20135/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ieand this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

I wish to advise the Deputy that building projects are being delivered in the area in question to meet an identified demographic demand as outlined by the Deputy. In respect of Naas Community College, tender documents have issued to the short-listed contractors for the project. Construction is currently ongoing on a permanent 32 classroom school for the Mercy Convent, Naas. Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that the project will  be completed in the third quarter of 2019.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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409. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to meet in full the requirements as set out by the authorities at the various primary and post-primary schools in Celbridge, County Kildare, with particular reference to the need for a precise response and determination in each case with a view to addressing in full the requirements as set out by the various school authorities or patrons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20136/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Under project Ireland 2040, the Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

In 2019, the capital allocation for the school sector amounts to €622 m.

Construction activity in 2018 and 2019 will deliver approx. 40,000 additional and replacement school places, the replacement of over 600 prefabs which is a key element of our prefab replacement programme.

In April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure. In addition, on 26 April last, I announced the establishment of a further national school in Ashbourne which will open in September 2019.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects, including those in County Kildare, being delivered under project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ieand this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.