Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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447. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action she will take to address the lack of school places in Kildare town; her plans to provide a new secondary school in Kildare town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3754/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you for your query in relation to the provision of school places in Kildare Town. My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional primary and post primary school places in the school planning areas including referred to by the Deputy. Where capacity issues arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

- School of choice – pupils can't get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.

Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those in Kildare town, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.

Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in County Kildare may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie, and 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.

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need, has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (Additional Accommodation Scheme) can be found on my Department's website, www.education.ie, and this information is also updated regularly.

In relation to a specific ongoing acquisition, I can also confirm that my Department is currently finalising a site identification & deliverability exercise in order to technically appraise suitable shortlisted sites within 3 relevant school planning areas, (Kildare, Curragh, Newbridge) - for the replacement Curragh post primary school. Preliminary discussions have also commenced with landowners with a view to establishing availability and market expectations on selected lands. Further announcements will be made when it becomes possible to do so.

Due to obvious commercial sensitivities, I cannot elaborate any further at this juncture but please rest assured that the project (and site selection in particular) is being given due consideration and attention.