John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 727: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Dublin has applied for formal recognition; if such a request was made; the response of her Department; and the reasons considered when deciding this request. [28772/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has had some informal discussions with the school to which the Deputy refers. However, the school authority has yet to make a formal application for recognition to the new schools advisory committee. The closing date for a notice of intention to apply for the recognition of a new school to commence operation for the 2006-07 school year was 20 September 2005. The criteria for the recognition of new schools are as follows: recognition of new primary schools criteria — evidence that the proposed school meets a need that cannot reasonably be met within existing provision; the local community is consulted in advance; the patron has been registered as such by the Minister for Education and Science; a board of management will be appointed in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education and Science; the Rules for National Schools will be complied with; the proposed school has a minimum initial enrolment of 17 junior infants and a minimum projected enrolment of 51 pupils for the third year of operation; all pupils are at least four years of age on 30 September of the year in which the school is due to commence operation; in accordance with Section 10(2)(e) of the Education Act 1998, the proposed interim accommodation complies with the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts 1963 to 1996, the Building Regulations 1991 to 1997 (including the Building Control Regulations), the Health, Safety and Welfare Act, 1989 and any modifications, statutory instruments or orders made in accordance with these Acts; the school will follow the Primary School Curriculum of the Department of Education and Science; and the school will employ recognised primary school teachers.