Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have previously raised the issue of Mol an Oige Steiner national school, Ennistymon, County Clare which has been in existence for a number of years. When it started off, it was granted temporary recognition by the Department of Education and Skills. During the years the number of students has grown and standards in the school, to the best of my knowledge from speaking to parents, teachers and others, are very high. The school has applied and met all of the criteria necessary to be met for permanent recognition, but, for some reason, the Department is not prepared to grant it. There seems to be one hurdle which it does not seem to be able to get over. The bottom line is that there are in excess of 100 young students attending the school, probably a far greater number than the numbers attending many other national schools in the area, yet it does not have the permanent recognition it requires in order to build a new premises and move forward in an environment which is stable, assured, permanent and secure.

At this stage, the school has earned its stripes. It has done what is necessary and met all of the stringent criteria laid down by the Department. I have been advised by the school principal that in all of the paperwork required every box has been ticked, that every "t" has been crossed and every "i" has been dotted to an exhaustive degree. There comes a point when one has to say fair play needs to prevail. Given its history which is relatively recent but significant and length of service, it appears the school has done all that is required of it. A vote of confidence in what it is doing for the community and its students is necessary from the Government and the Department in order to allow it to move forward in an assured and a secure environment.

I appreciate that the Minister of State is present on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills. If she cannot confirm that permanent recognition will be granted, I hope she might give me a specific timeline to indicate when it will happen because, as far as Mol an Oige Steiner national school is concerned, it has played its part and now it is up to the Minister to play hers.