Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies O'Connor and Crowe for raising this matter on the application by St. Mark's Junior School for additional accommodation and the position in general on primary provision in the Tallaght area.

I am sure the Deputies will appreciate that in providing educational infrastructure, the Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all eligible pupils seeking places. This may result in pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice, but ensures that at all times the use of existing publicly-funded accommodation is maximised. This approach also ensures that the development and support of one school over others does not occur. Schools in an area are expected to implement enrolment polices which complements this position.

In the circumstances, when any school submits an application for capital funding, this is not considered in isolation from the circumstances prevailing in its neighbouring schools. If a school enrolls over and above what it can accommodate while there is vacant accommodation in other schools in its area, an application for capital funding cannot succeed. This is the practical application and implication of my Department's policy as outlined.

Earlier this year, St. Mark's junior school in Tallaght submitted an application for capital funding under my Department's 2006 additional accommodation scheme. At the time it sought the provision of two extra classrooms to cater for increased enrolments. This application was refused on the grounds that my Department is satisfied that there is considerable spare capacity in neighbouring schools.

The school subsequently appealed this decision and increased its application to six extra classrooms, for both it and St. Mark's senior school, but in addition, for the first time, the issue of the need to replace two old prefabs was raised. If there are problems with the standard of accommodation which might require replacement, sin scéal eile. Immediately, the Department contacted the school authority for a report which it commissioned in this matter. This will be examined when it is received as part of an assessment of the school's appeal.

As Deputy O'Connor stated, there are significant developments planned for the greater Tallaght area and my Department is aware of this. The school planning section is liaising with South Dublin County Council on future school requirements for the area in this regard.

Furthermore, the Department of Education and Science will review all existing provision to determine its long-term needs to meet the challenges presented by the proposed developments. It will do this in consultation with the local schools inspector. The Department has already asked St. Mark's to submit an application for permanent accommodation. This will kick start the process from its perspective.

While we accept that the Tallaght area is growing, there appears to be adequate provision in the area for the number of students coming forward. There are two separate issues. On the first, we have asked the school to make the application for permanent accommodation. On the second, we will take a careful look at the standard of the school's temporary accommodation as soon as it sends us its report.

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