Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 529: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the necessary criteria for a school making an application to her Department for official recognition; if it is necessary for all of these to be fulfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18551/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Based on a report by the Commission on School Accommodation, the criteria and procedures for recognition of new primary schools were revised in 2002. The New Schools Advisory Committee was established as part of this process to assess and make recommendations on the applications for recognition of new schools.

The criteria for recognition of new primary schools is made available to all prospective applicants and is also published on my Department's website. I am arranging to have details of same forwarded to the Deputy. The Advisory Committee, upon receipt of notifications of intent, initiates a public and transparent consultation process and assesses all applications against the published criteria.