Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 9

Written Answers. - Private Primary Schools.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

78 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education whether, in relation to the 69 private primary schools referred to in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 30 October 1991, (a) his Department satisfies itself in any way regarding the standards of education in such schools, and (b) any qualifications/ registration is required of the operators of such schools; the number of such schools which serve as junior sections or feeders for publicly funded second level schools; and the nature of the returns made by these schools to his Department.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

My Department undertakes examination of private primary schools where certification of these schools as "suitable schools" is being sought, in the context of section 5 of the School Attendance Act, 1926.

There are no specific qualifications or registration requirements laid down by my Department in relation to the operation of private primary schools. In determining suitability, the inspectors have regard to accommodation, management, curriculum, teaching staff, timetable, etc.

The data available within my Department would indicate that 34 of these schools serve as junior sections or feeders for publicly funded second level schools.

The returns made by these schools to the Department give details on pupils enrolled, class numbers, teacher numbers and aggregate teaching hours.