Schools Recognition.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2009

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Questions (44)

Joan Burton

Question:

135 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason he has refused to grant permanent status, by way of recognition, to an organisation in its role as patron of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the application is under active consideration; when a decision will be available to grant permanent recognition status to this school in order that it can apply for capital grants in order that it can meet demand for places, in permanent accommodation, in that school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37089/09]

Written answers

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

The school to which the Deputy refers is recognised by my Department. In common with all schools, when initially established, the school was granted temporary recognition to allow it to demonstrate its viability.

With regard to the criteria for permanent recognition, 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 school to which the Deputy refers had an enrolment of 105 pupils for the 2008/2009 school year, which falls short of that needed for permanent recognition. In the circumstances, earlier this year, the Department extended the school's temporary recognition for a further three years to allow it the opportunity to develop further.