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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 5

Written Answers. - School Recognition.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Ceist:

7 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education the amount of pupils which are required in order to grant recognition to a new Gaelscoil; and the amount of these pupils which have to be junior infant pupils who have not attended school before. [1756/97]

Peadar Clohessy

Ceist:

11 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Education the amount of pupils which are required in order to grant recognition to a new Gaelscoil; and the amount of these pupils which have to be junior infant pupils who have not attended school before. [1757/97]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 11 together.

My Department has a requirement that a new gaelscoil should have at least 20 junior infants who had not attended school previously, before recognition can be granted.

It will be apparent that if a school is unable to provide such an enrolment on opening its viability in the future must be in doubt. Before a new school is given recognition I must be sure that it will be viable. This is particularly relevant, at this time, as a significant demographic decline is projected in primary school enrolments over the next few years. The current rate of decline is of the order of 11,000 pupils per annum.

Responding to the developing pluralism of the school system against a background of demographic decline and consequent implications for the viability of schools is a major challenge. I have established the Commission on School Accommodation Needs. One of the tasks of the commission, on which gaelscoileanna has a representative, is to draw up detailed criteria for the recognition of new primary schools. I will consider how the current criteria applicable to gaelscoileanna should be developed or altered in the light of the commission's recommendations.

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