Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has received an application for the erection of a new Gaelscoil (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if approval will be given; if same might be ready to receive pupils at the commencement of the next academic year in September 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36775/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that a notification of an intention to apply for the recognition of a new Gaelscoil in County Westmeath has been lodged. The closing date for receipt of a formal and full application for recognition is 31 January 2006. As the Deputy may be aware, the new schools advisory committee, NSAC, which was established in 2002, independently assesses and makes recommendations to me on all such applications.

Decisions in respect of applications for the recognition of new schools with effect from the commencement of the 2006-07 school year will issue to applicants by 17 April 2006. The criteria for the recognition of new schools follow for the Deputy's information.

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 30th 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, proposed interim school accommodation must comply with the Planning and Development Act, 2000, the Planning and Development Regulations: 2001, the Building Regulations 1991 to 1997 (including the Building Control Regulations) and the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations: 2001 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.

∙The school will employ recognised primary school teachers.

School Planning Section

August 2005.