The report "Criteria and Procedures for the Recognition of New Second Level Schools" is currently being examined in my Department in conjunction with another of the Commission's reports entitled "Criteria and procedures for establishing and maintaining provision through the medium of Irish in second level schools or clusters of schools".
Both reports are being considered together because many of the recommendations, particularly in relation to the suggested procedures for recognition, apply equally to schools offering education through the medium of English or Irish.
I am anxious to replicate the structured process which is in place for the recognition of primary schools in the post primary sector. I intend to address the issues raised in the reports, including the development of a formal recognition process for new second level schools.