Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the findings of the advisory committee to the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities who recently issued their second opinion on Ireland which included among other statements a strong recommendation to the authorities here to widen schooling options and stated that further steps are needed to accommodate the growing diversity of Irish schools; the steps being taken by her to address the issues raised in this statement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41104/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools were revised in 2002 based on the recommendations of a report of the Commission on School Accommodation, on which the Education Partners were represented.

Applications for the recognition of new primary schools are assessed by an independent advisory board (the New Schools Advisory Committee) on the basis of the facts provided by the patron body in support of the case for the new school and the likely demand for places. Schools are granted provisional recognition and permanent recognition follows when long term viability has been established on actual enrolments over a period.

Under this process all patron bodies are treated on an equal footing regardless of whether they are denominational, inter-denominational or multi-denominational. The Committee's annual programme of work culminates in a report with recommendations on the granting of recognition to an application. I am happy to support all new schools where it has been clearly demonstrated in accordance with the criteria that a demand exists.