Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a grant does not exist to assist a developing school (details supplied) in County Kildare to equip their classroom with essential equipment other than furniture; if her Department is considering such a grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42321/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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New schools initially operate with provisional recognition from my Department. 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 provide permanent accommodation. While schools with temporary recognition do not qualify for capital funding, my Department does provide grant aid for the rental of interim accommodation. It is open to a school to seek an increase in this rental as its needs develop.

The school, referred to by the Deputy, commenced operation with provisional recognition in September 2004. The management of the school has applied for permanent recognition and an assessment of the application is being carried out by my Department at present.

In recent years I have introduced a number of measures to assist newly established schools. A new grant of €10,000 is payable in two instalments of €5,000 for the training of the Boards of Management and staff in their initial years. A start-up grant of €6,348.69 is available to all new primary schools. As a further measure to assist new schools I authorised the earlier appointment of principal teachers to assist in the establishment phase.

The authorities of the school in question should contact the Building Section of my Department regarding essential equipment requirements for their classrooms.