Schools Recognition.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2009

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Questions (484)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

513 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances in which a school (details supplied) in County Kildare operating under temporary recognition from his Department may achieve full or permanent recognition; if full recognition of this school is imminent; if there are formal criteria within his Department outlining the number of students required to be enrolled in a school pending full recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6077/09]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

My Department is guided by a Commission on School Accommodation (CSA) Report produced in 2004 on the "Criteria and Procedures for establishing and maintaining provision through the medium of Irish in second level schools". The report recommends that for an Irish Medium school to be recognised, it must have:

An initial first year projected enrolment of 30 pupils;

A projected average first year enrolment of 40 pupils over six years;

A projected total enrolment of 250-300, six years after opening;

Suitable accommodation; and

Compliance with Section 10 of the Education Act, 1998

The Department has received an application for permanent recognition from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application is currently being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority in due course.