I propose to take Questions Nos. 315, 316, 317 together.
Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maoil, Ballina, was granted provisional recognition by my Department in September 1998. The school authorities have applied for permanent recognition and the application is currently under consideration in the planning section of my Department. This matter will be finalised when all the relevant details have been received and considered. In the meantime the school is not entitled to capital grant aid.
During the period of provisional recognition it is the responsibility of the school patron to provide interim accommodation. This accommodation must be capable of fully meeting the needs of the developing school until permanent recognition has been secured and the Department is in a position to acquire a site and provide a permanent school building. My Department grant-aids the rental cost of such temporary accommodation at the rate of 75% for schools having provisional recognition and at the rate of 95% for schools with permanent recognition.
It is open to the management authorities of the gaelscoil in Ballina to apply to my Department for grant-aid in respect of the rental of additional temporary accommodation to cater for anticipated increased enrolments at the school next September. Such application will be considered in the light of current budgetary constraints and competing demands on my Departments rental budget.
The position regarding funding for new primary schools generally is set out in the document Recognition for New Primary Schools' Funding, which is available on my Department's website at, www.education.ie. In addition to the funding/services outlined in that document, gaelscoileanna also receive preferential capitation grants.