Future Plans for Schools in Co. Kildare

Question 113: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a detailed outline of plans to address the overcrowding situation in primary and secondary schools in Kildare North, taking into consideration that the school going age of children in County Kildare has experienced a significant increase in recent years, according to Census 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [Ref. Number 19402/11]

Response from Minister Ruairí Quinn (Department of Education):7th July, 2011.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has examined all areas of the country to determine where additional provision will be required at both primary and post-primary level up to 2017. This detailed analysis is now being finalised and action plans are being drawn up for each priority location in order to identify how to meet the additional school accommodation.

It is within this context that I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established within the next six years, comprising of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools, including a new primary school in Kildare town and new second level schools in Naas, Maynooth and Celbridge. In addition it will be necessary to extend the capacity of many existing schools to meet the demand for increased pupil places.