Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2008
407 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 27 February 2008, if an application has been assessed for a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17366/08]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in question has been offered an all-in grant to provide additional accommodation to cater for the proposed unit.
408 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the recommendations of the New School Advisory Committee with regard to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17418/08]
View answerThe New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC), which is an independent advisory body, is charged with making recommendations to the Minister in relation to applications received for new schools. In their report this year, the NSAC recommended recognition of the application in respect of the school in question.
Following consideration of the report and recommendations of the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) on the recognition of new primary schools for 2008, it was decided not to grant recognition to the school to which the Deputy refers, at this time.
In recognising a new school, cognisance needs to be given to the demand on resources so that the State can ensure efficiency and equity in the allocation of constrained resources. In that context, and given the significant additional levels of primary school provision made in the area in the past 3 years, I am satisfied that sufficient provision has been made to serve the current and future population in the medium term. I am satisfied that appropriate diversity of provision has also been provided.
On that basis, recognition has not been granted to the proposed new school at this time. This does not preclude recognition at a future date.
