Vol. 550 No. 4
691 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give permanent recognition to a gaelscoil (details supplied) in County Dublin which is operating for three years and has three teachers and 60 pupils. [8371/02]
The gaelscoil referred to by the Deputy received provisional recognition in September 1999. An application for permanent recognition was lodged with the planning section of my Department in September 2000.
At that time, consideration of the application was deferred until such time as the school's accommodation arrangements satisfied the Department's criteria for permanent recognition, that is, that the patron and the board of management ensured that interim accommodation complied with the relevant planning and health and safety provisions.
The school re-located to new premises in November 2001. An inspector's report on the new accommodation has been received and is being examined in the planning section. The assessment of the school's application is nearing completion and the school authorities will be advised of the outcome shortly. The position regarding permanent accommodation will be considered by my Department in the event that permanent recognition is granted and in light of available capital resources.
