Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 840: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she intends to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who attends an all-Irish primary school is enabled to continue education in secondary school through the medium of Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10155/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses to enrol a student. The Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil only where an appeal under section 29 is upheld. The appeal against the decision of the school in question was not upheld. The school was oversubscribed for the 60 available places for enrolment to first year 2005-06. The appeals committee found that, in allocating the available places, the school adhered to the terms and provisions of its enrolment policy and the criteria for the selection of successful applicants. It also adhered to the procedures for the implementation of that policy including the use of random selection. It further adhered to the provisions and spirit of Limerick city post-primary schools common application form.

It is my Department's policy to support the provision of all-Irish school facilities at primary and post-primary level in all areas where a demand for such provision is clearly demonstrated and no alternative exists within a reasonable distance. Where a demand for such provision exists, it is open to school management authorities to make an application to my Department for the necessary supports. Each application submitted is examined having regard to the level of anticipated demand and existing similar provision available in the area. My Department is in receipt of a proposal from Limerick city vocational education committee to establish a Gaelcholáiste in Limerick from September 2006 and this is under active consideration.