Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn.

I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the current position on the recognition status of Mol an Óige Steiner national school, Ennistymon, County Clare. Mol an Óige Steiner national school, which implements the Steiner approach to education, was initially awarded provisional recognition in 2008 and this has been extended year on year. As the Senator is aware, all recognised schools, regardless of their philosophy or ethos, are required to comply with the Education Act 1998 and the rules for national schools. Schools seeking permanent recognition must also satisfy specific criteria in relation to patronage, board of management, implementation of the curriculum, admissions policy and procedures for the appointment of teaching staff. Permanent recognition is contingent on schools demonstrating that they meet those requirements satisfactorily.

A process is under way in relation to the request for permanent recognition from the school referred to by the Senator. This process is based on the school's progress in fulfilling ten undertakings committed to by the school's patron in 2007. These undertakings were based on requirements outlined in the Education Act 1998 and the rules for national schools, as well on the aforementioned criteria which all schools applying for permanent recognition must satisfy. One of the undertakings is that the school will follow the primary school curriculum as laid down by the Department of Education and Science.

My Department met with the school authorities in October 2012 to discuss the school's current position in relation to those undertakings and with a view to enabling the school to meet the permanent recognition criteria concerned. I understand substantial progress has been made. However, significant issues remain to be resolved particularly in relation to how provision for pupils in the infant classes conforms with the primary school curriculum. I understand also that the Department and Mol an Óige Steiner national school have committed to ongoing engagement with a view to enabling the school to meet the permanent recognition criteria as soon as possible.

In that regard, further correspondence has been received recently in respect of the school which is under consideration. It is important to note that the decision regarding full recognition depends upon the satisfactory implementation of all the undertakings.

I again thank the Senator for allowing me the opportunity to outline the position regarding the application for permanent recognition from Mol an Oige Steiner national school in County Clare.