Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon has received confirmation from the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD, that the Department of Education and Skills is currently reviewing provision at post-primary level across the school planning areas in the South Kildare area and it is envisaged that work in this regard will be completed in the coming weeks.
Deputy Heydon said “This week in the Dáil, I had the opportunity to raise the issue of a new post primary school for Kildare South. I was disappointment that the latest school building list published by the Department of Education and Skills did not include a new post primary school for Kildare South; however, the Minister’s commitment to a review by the Department is a step in the right direction.
“I have worked with the South Kildare Educate Together (SKET) group since their formation in September 2014 as they fought for a new Educate Together Secondary School for the South Kildare. We believe there are demographic pressures and I have received reassurance that the Department are actively reviewing Kildare South.
“I will continue to fight for a new school and I also want to ensure that the new school for St Paul’s in Monasterevin and the extensions for St Conleth’s Community College, CPC Kilcullen, Athy Community College, and Patrician Secondary School are delivered as soon as possible.
“I also raised the issue of choice of schools in Kildare South and the current state of the Curragh Post-Primary School building, the Minister is agreeable to looking into accommodating both greater choice and improvements in one project.”
The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD, said “I have highlighted that the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
“Additional capacity in the region of 1,700 school places will be provided when projects at the following four schools in this area are completed: St. Conleth’s Community College, Newbridge; Athy Community College, Athy; Cross and Passion Secondary School, Kilcullen; and St Paul’s Secondary School, Monasterevin.
“A building project for the Patrician College Newbridge is also included in my Department’s 6 Year Construction Programme.
“I can confirm that my Department is currently reviewing provision at post-primary level across the school planning areas in the South Kildare area.”