Trevor Sargent
Ceist:242 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, in place in his Department to afford statutory recognition to non-denominational schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16679/98]
Written Answers. - Non-Denominational Schools.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:244 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 381 of 23 June 1998 regarding the issue of the accommodation needs of non-denominational schools, whether he expects to be in a position to address the accommodation needs of other non-denominational schools in the State other than the one to which he has referred, having reviewed the work of the Commission on School Accommodation Needs and having concluded the discussions with which he is involved with the Department of Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16681/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 244 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question No. 382, on 23 June 1998, in which I stated that I would review the criteria for recognition and recourcing of new primary schools in the light of the report and recommendations of the Commission on School Accommodation Needs. This would include any demand for non-denominational schools. There are no such schools at present.
The school referred to in my reply to Dáil Question No. 381, also on 23 June, is a multi-denominational school.
The question of State ownership of new primary schools is still the subject of ongoing discussions with the Minister for Finance. In these discussions I am drawing on the work of the commission. When these discussions have been completed and the commission has made its final report, which is expected later this year, I will then be in a position to consider the longer-term accommodation needs of all primary schools, requiring new school buildings.
I should also mention that, generally, the provisions of section 10 of the Education (No. 2) Bill, 1997, allows for the Minister to recognise new primary schools, having regard to the desirability of the diversity in the classes of schools operating in an area.
The Education Bill, 1997, affords full recognition to multi-denominational schools along with schools under other forms of patronage.