Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the situation in Raheny, Dublin 5, regarding a crèche and a school (details supplied) in respect of the lack of classroom space; and if adequate classroom space will be provided in order that the crèche is not obliged to close. [23565/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The use of school facilities for educational purposes should always take precedence over other activities. My Department is spending nearly €500 million on school building and modernisation works this year, but even with this unprecedented level of investment, requests for extra accommodation must be prioritised. It is simply not feasible for the Department to fund the provision of additional classrooms in a school when there is already accommodation on site which could be used for this purpose.

A new initiative was announced last week by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to provide funding for child care services in school facilities. I suggest that the creche provider contact the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to see if any support is available for them. The board of management of the school in question is ultimately responsible for making decisions regarding the use of school facilities, but must naturally prioritise the school's needs for classroom space over the needs of other services that are only provided in a school while there is spare accommodation.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 593: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her Department's plans to provide permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this school has no premises for the year 2005-06 due to the sale of a premises which it was renting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23573/05]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 594: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will consider allowing a school (details supplied) in County Kildare the use of a building close to its current location and which is currently empty and owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23574/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 593 and 594 together.

The school to which the Deputy refers opened with provisional recognition from my Department in September 2004. During the period of provisional recognition, it is the responsibility of the school patron to provide interim accommodation. This accommodation must be capable of fully meeting the needs of the developing school until permanent recognition has been secured and my Department is in a position to acquire a site and provide a permanent school building.

Officials in the planning section of the Department are currently examining the question of the best possible use for the premises on the site of the former Sunday school. This examination will have regard to both the level and type of current and anticipated demand for primary and post primary educational provision in the Newbridge area.