Vol. 530 No. 2
128 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the efforts that can be made to assist the development of gaelscoileanna in rural areas where the requirement of having 17 pupils is a difficult one to fulfil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3443/01]
It is my policy to support the establishment of all-Irish schools in areas outside the Gaeltacht, where sufficient demand for such facilities is demonstrated and where there exists no suitable alternative provision within a reasonable distance.
Policy in relation to criteria for the recognition of new primary schools was thoroughly reviewed by the Commission on School Accommodation in 1998. The commission's membership comprised representatives of all the relevant education partners, including Gaelscoileanna and Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge, representing all-Irish schools.
The minimum enrolment requirement of 17 junior infants is the figure recommended by the commission and subsequently accepted as the official criterion. This figure represents a significant reduction from the previous threshold of 20 junior infants and is intended to take into account the varying circumstances of all applicant schools, including gaelscoileanna.
