Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dublin Montessori School.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

108 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the acute difficulty at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14 in which the existing Montessori school which has been operational for four years has been given short notice by her Department to vacate classroom space from September 1996; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that an inspector from her Department has been due for the past five weeks to examine the proposed location of an alternative site for a portacabin in order that it does not impinge on the facilities of the primary school; her views on whether the Montessori school is outside the direct remit of her Department; whether the necessary planning application for the portacabin cannot be submitted until her Department's inspection has been carried out; if she will have arrangements made immediately for the necessary inspection and report to allow the planning application to be made in the next few days in view of the fact that such an application will take two months to be processed and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12189/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am aware that the primary school to which the Deputy refers allowed a Montessori school to use a vacant classroom for a number of years. The primary school is due to appoint an additional teacher in September next and consequently needs the vacant classroom. I understand that the primary school has offered to facilitate the Montessori school by allowing the location of a prefabricated classroom on the school site. As the primary school operates under the aegis of my Department it is necessary for my Department to be satisfied that the proposed arrangement will not interfere with the operation of the primary school. An inspector from my Department will assess the proposed arrangements and my Department will write to the school in the matter within the next couple of days. In the meantime, if the school wishes to lodge the planning application, they may do so.

The operation of privately run Montessori schools is outside the direct remit of my Department.